Choristers

Chetham’s educates the Choristers of Manchester Cathedral. Boys and girls join the friendly group of choristers between the ages of 8-10, and usually continue singing with the choir until around the age of 13. Potential choristers do not need any prior experience to audition; we’re looking for children who enjoy singing and being part of a close-knit team and who, with their parents, will commit to a demanding but immensely rewarding schedule.

Life as a Chorister at Manchester Cathedral and Chetham’s is a great opportunity, highly rewarding and lots of fun. It helps children to develop important social skills as part of a totally committed team, working closely with peers and adults in pursuit of excellence.

“The Privilege of Choristership: the single greatest leg-up a child can be given in life” “The most obvious benefit is the total submersion in music” “…a complete musical education by process of osmosis” “…all the skills and sensitivities become second nature and all of them have strange and unexpected use and resonance in later life” Alexander Armstrong

All choristers are day or boarding pupils in Chetham’s Lower School, and enjoy an excellent musical and academic education in addition to first-class musical training from the Cathedral’s staff. Choristers attend rehearsals in the Cathedral where they sing for weekly services and special events. Concerts, special services and broadcasts on both radio and television form a regular part of a Chorister’s experience.

We are very aware that our Choristers have a busy schedule and work hard to make their lives as easy as possible. The majority of the Choristers’ schedule fits in with the regular School day. They attend lessons and most practice sessions with the other Juniors, timetabled around rehearsals at the Cathedral. They have individual music lessons, and may be taught as beginners if they do not already play an instrument when they come to Chetham’s . Homework sessions are also built into the Choristers’ school day, helping to ensure that they can enjoy free time at home following Evensong.

Chorister auditions and funding are led by Manchester Cathedral. Interested families are invited to meet the Cathedral music team at regular Be A Chorister For A Day events visiting the School and Cathedral, or through Manchester Children’s Choir, which holds free, non-auditioned sessions every Saturday morning at the Cathedral.

For more information on Choristerships, contact the Master of Choristers, Christopher Stokes, at Manchester Cathedral.

Chetham’s is a member of the Choir Schools’ Association.

Next steps for Choristers

The unique musical environment in which choristers are based, and the opportunity to study an instrument with Chetham’s staff, gives them a strong foundation from which to continue as musicians when they reach Year 8/9.

At the age of 13 choristers may re-audition for Chetham’s as instrumentalists or first study singers, funded through the Music and Dance Scheme. Those who continue as singers may choose to retain close links with the Cathedral music programme as young choral scholars, singing regularly alongside younger choristers and professional lay clerks.