Joining the Choirs
Singing at the Cathedral
If your son or daughter, or someone you know, enjoys singing, and would benefit from an oustanding musical education, it may be that he or she would be a suitable candidate for a chorister place in one of the Cathedral Choirs. We are looking for 'bright-eyed' boys and girls rather than accomplished musicians at this stage. Choristers join the Choir from many schools across Merseyside, Wirral and West Lancashire, and, on gaining places in the Cathedral Choir, transfer to the Cathedral's Choir Schools, Runnymede-St Edward's School (for boy choristers up to the age of 11), and St Edward´s College (for all girl choristers and boys from the age of 11). The two schools are on adjoining campuses in West Derby.
The Cathedral Choirs not only maintain our regular Sunday and weekday sung services in the Cathedral, but provide music for a growing range of Archdiocesan and regional special services during the year. The choirs make frequent broadcasts on local and national radio and television. Midnight Mass was broadcast from the cathedral in 2008 to an audience of over 2 million, and in the same year, Solemn Mass on Easter Day was broadcast live on BBC1 TV. The Choirs also make national and international tours and recordings. Singing in a Cathedral Choir is the one activity where youngsters are expected to produce professional standards. In addition, the boys and girls become great ambassadors for our city and our faith. They learn a wide variety of life skills that assist in their personal growth and development, such as the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods; the values of teamwork; the necessity of good organisational skills. They learn not only to read music, but to sing in Latin, French, German and even Russian !
Choristers rehearse most mornings before school, as well as at the Cathedral before services. They all receive free singing and instrumental lessons and they are transported from the schools to the Cathedral as required. Choristers usually play an important part in the musical life of their schools. Many former choristers have gone on to become professional musicians. Some boys rejoin the Choir as Choral Students whilst in the 6th Form, others becoming Choral Scholars whilst at University or in Higher Education.
The Cathedral Choir
Auditions for boys will take place in February of each year at the Cathedral for entry into the choir in the following September. Boys currently in school Years 3, 4, and 5 will be considered, irrespective of background and religious denomination. Successful candidates will be offered conditional places, subject to meeting the academic entry requirements of the Choir School, and funding of the school fees being in place. Depending on circumstances, the Cathedral may be able to assist financially, until such point as the chorister automatically moves to St Edward´s College at the start of Year 7 (the College, being an academy, does not charge fees).
Parents who are interested in their sons joining the Cathedral Choir are invited to get in touch with the Director of Music by phone (0151 708 7283).
The Cathedral Girls' Choir
Auditions for girls will take place in September each year at the Cathedral for entry into the choir in the following September. Girls from any background or religious denomination can apply but only girls entering school Yyear 6 in September 2011 will be considered. Successful candidates will receive chorister places at St Edward´s College when they start Year 7.
Parents who are interested in their daughters joining the Cathedral Choir are invited to get in touch with the Sub Organist, Philip Arkwright or by phone (0151 708 7283).
The Audition
For either choir, applicants are asked to sing a prepared piece of music, such as a favourite hymn or well-known Christmas carol. Any song is suitable but candidates must bring the sheet music with them if they would like to be accompanied on the piano whilst they sing. Children who already play an instrument should bring a prepared piece to perform. There will then be some straightforward aural tests and some questions. Also, younger candidates will be asked to read out loud from a given passage of prose.
Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars
There are usually 14 men (6 basses, 4 altos, 4 tenors) comprising both lay-clerks and choral scholars. They sing at Choral Evening Prayer on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and Mass on Sundays. There are periodic vacancies for counter tenor, tenor and bass voices as deputy lay clerks or choral scholars. Choral scholars are drawn from the variety of further education establishments on Merseyside and beyond.
The Cathedral Choir's wide repertoire includes music of all periods, reflecting the great heritage of Catholic music from Gregorian Chant to the present day, and also the best from many other traditions. The Choir has made a number of recordings, it broadcasts frequently and undertakes regular tours. In recent years these have included Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Spain, Canada and USA. Singing in this unique and exciting building is a special experience !
Details of fees and terms will be given on application to the Director of Music.
The Youth Choir
The Youth Choir rehearses once a week at the Cathedral, on Tuesdays from 5.15pm - 6.15pm. It performs fortnightly at the Family Mass which takes place on Sunday mornings at 10.00am, in the Crypt. Many of its members gain experience in this choir before moving up to choristership in the Cathedral Choirs. The Youth Choir's Director, Stephen Mannings, is pleased to audtion any boy or girl aged 7 or more for membership of the Cathedral Youth Choir.
The Cantata Choir
Membership of the Cathedral's adult voluntary chamber choir is open to anyone, subject to audtion. The choir rehearses once a week, on Thursdays from 7.30pm - 9.30pm and it performs at least one concert per term. Please contact its Director, Richard Lea, to arrange an audition. Further information from the Cathedral Concerts Society website.