Joining the Cathedral Choir

Boy Choristers

Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB

0121 262 1840 birminghamcathedral.com

THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR

The Cathedral Boys Choir is made up of around 18 boys

aged between Year 3 and Year 9.

Practices and services take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and

Fridays after school and on most Sundays (morning or afternoon) in

term-time.

The boys sing regularly with the Lower Voices (adults) of the

Cathedral Choir for services and concerts.

Boy Choristers receive a bursary increasing progressively to £500

per year. All boys receive free music theory training up to Grade 5

and free singing lessons. Choristers are trained to be proficient and

confident musicians, and to perform to a professional standard –

several choristers have gained Oxbridge and other choral

scholarships.

Choristers are still able to take a full part in all aspects of school life

with choir holidays and half terms coinciding with school holidays as

much as possible. Outings, picnics and social events are organised on

a regular basis.

At audition the boys are asked to sing a simple hymn or carol of

their choice and participate in some straightforward ear tests. They

should be fluent readers with good concentration. Successful boys

will begin with a trial period as a probationer.

I would be delighted to hear from you by email at

david.hardie@birminghamcathedral.com or by

telephone 0121 262 1840.

Mr David Hardie

Head of Music

Being in Birmingham Cathedral Choir has greatly improved not

only my choral abilities but also my musical skills in general. In

addition, the choir has gifted me with lifelong friends. From singing

in a 40-part motet in our cathedral to performing in many other

distinguished buildings including St Paul’s and Notre Dame, the

vast range of fantastic opportunities has been simply amazing.

”

“

Being a chorister has helped

our son develop confidence,

team-working skills and a

sense of personal

responsibility while at the

same time greatly broadening

his musicality and

appreciation of choral and

religious tradition.

”

“ In recent years the choir has sung:

• On BBC Radio 3 (Choral Evensong)

• In concert with world famous musicians

such as Thomas Trotter

• In recording with Black Sabbath guitarist

Tony Iommi

• With professional orchestras in Handel’s

Messiah and Bach’s St Matthew Passion

• In performance with the Birmingham Royal

Ballet

• With Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull

• In St Paul’s Cathedral and many other

English cathedrals

• In Notre Dame in Paris and the

Thomaskirche in Leipzig

7 11

Read about the Music Department’s successes for

Birmingham Cathedral’s ‘Emerging Talent’ scheme at www.birminghamcathedral.com/emergingtalent