Cathedral Choristers
Lichfield Cathedral choristers sing in a beautiful and inspiring building, perform in concerts across the country and abroad and receive a first-class academic education at the Cathedral School. Being a Chorister is fun, inspiring and provides a unique start to life.
Benefits of being a Cathedral Chorister
- Unparalleled musical training from professional musicians
- An outstanding education at Lichfield Cathedral School
- Valuable life skills including team-work, discipline, confidence, resilience and the ability to concentrate on a task
- Being part of uplifting and extraordinary concerts, services and events across the diocese and further afield
- Contributing to a unique cultural heritage of more than 800 years and ensuring its future success
- Taking part in radio and television broadcasts, recordings and international tours
- Making many friends for life
- A Choral Scholarship representing a 20% reduction in school fees (10% while a training chorister)
- Additional means-tested financial support for families in need
How old are Choristers?
For choristers, the preferred entry is aged 7 or 8 (Year 3 or 4) as a training chorister, although entry as early as Year 2 or as late as Year 6 is possible, if there are places available. Choristers will usually sing in the Cathedral Choir until the end of Year 8. Pupils start as Training Choristers with a reduced workload, then progress to Full Choristers when they are ready, usually within one year.
What’s involved?
Life as a Cathedral Chorister is busy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Rehearsals are before school every day and after school 3 to 4 days a week. Boy and girl Choristers alternate singing on Sundays during term-time. The full Foundation Choir sings together during important services and Holy Week (leading up to Easter Day) and the week leading up to and including Christmas Day.
What happens afterwards?
Former choristers usually continue their vocal training at School via a Music Scholarship, joining Cantorum, our SATB senior choir and our Young Singing Leaders programme. Sixth Form Choral Scholarships enable students to rejoin the Cathedral Choir, singing with the adults on the ‘back row’, and is excellent preparation for Choral Scholarships at university.
Be A Chorister For A Day
Each year we run free choral singing workshops at the weekend for children aged 6-10 to learn about life as a chorister. Singing tuition, music, refreshments and lunch are provided. Workshops are great fun and you’ll make lots of new friends! The next workshop will be on Saturday 18 January 2025.
For more information, contact Admissions on 01543 306168 or email admissions@lichfieldcathedralschool.com
Chorister auditions
The next auditions for new choristers will be on Saturday 1 February 2025. Children usually audition in Year 2, 3 or 4 to join the choir starting in September.
It is important to remember that we are not looking for fully-trained singers - all training will be provided! Mr Lamb, the Director of Music at Lichfield Cathedral, looks for an enthusiasm for singing, an enjoyment of music, good levels of concentration and reading, and a supportive family. We are looking for potential, not professional singers.
At the 15-minute audition, children will be asked to sing something they have prepared, which could be a hymn or a song they learned at school. Next, Mr Lamb will play some notes on the piano which children will sing back, and they will follow a rhythm by clapping. Finally, children will read a piece of text aloud and if they play a musical instrument, they will be asked to play one or two short pieces.
If you are not sure about being a chorister and want some advice before the audition, Mr Lamb is happy to listen to children sing informally and provide guidance.
For more information or to book an informal pre-audition, contact the Admissions team or call 01543 306168.
