The Cathedral Choir
The Cathedral Choir consists of boy Choristers, girl Choristers and adult lay clerks. It sings at six of the weekly services and on all the major feasts and Holy Days as well as giving regular concerts both in the Cathedral and within the Diocese. The Choir sings an exciting and challenging wide repertoire, encompassing the full range of Roman Catholic music from Gregorian chant to the present day, as well as music written for the English Church, and music of other Christian traditions.
Boy Choristers have been singing in the Cathedral since the Choir first sang at High Mass in the Lutyens Crypt under the direction of the first Master of the Music, Christopher Symons on the titular feast of Christ the King in 1960. Chorister opportunities where extended to girls between the ages of 11 and 16 in 2008.
The Choristers are chosen by audition and all receive an outstanding education at the Cathedral’s choir schools, Runnymede – St Edward’s School (until the end of Year 6), and (from Year 7), St Edward’s College. The Choristers rehearse before school each morning to prepare the music of the weekly services and for many other special services and concerts. The Choristers also carry out their normal school activities, both academic and extra-curricular, as well as receiving vocal and instrumental tuition. Many former Choristers have gone on to pursue professional musical careers.
As well as its significant role within the working life of the Cathedral, the Choir is active within the Archdiocese and the City of Liverpool, singing at many civic, ecumenical and academic services. Broadcasting regularly, the Choir has sung many times for both BBC television and radio and independent broadcasters and has also made a number of recordings. Singing away from home since the 1970s, tours have included Belgium, Spain, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, the USA and Canada as well as many cities within the British Isles.
The Youth Choir
The Cathedral Youth Choir is formed predominantly of former Choristers of the Cathedral in Years 9-13. The Choir rehearses once a week at the Cathedral and sings at liturgies in the Cathedral and further afield.
The Cathedral Consort
The Cathedral Consort consists of the Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir and 6–8 adult female singers. The Consort sings on occasions when the Choristers are in recess.
