Joining the Cathedral Choir

Girl Choristers

Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB

0121 262 1840 birminghamcathedral.com

THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR

The Cathedral Girls Choir is made up of around 22 girls aged

between Year 6 and Year 13 and up to two Choral Scholars

(normally university or Conservatoire students).

Practices and services take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after

school and on most Sundays (morning or afternoon) in term-time.

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

Cathedral Choir for services and concerts.

Girl Choristers receive a bursary increasing progressively to £500

per year. All girls 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 girls 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 girls 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

For me, the choir has been a journey of exciting

opportunities. I’ve acquired invaluable skills in

musicianship, confidence and teamwork, gaining

lifelong friends along the way.

”

“

Joining Birmingham Cathedral

Choir has been one of the best

decisions I ever made. It has

taught me so much about

music and has been key in

developing my confidence. It’s

great being part of such an

amazing choir, with amazing

people who have become my

second family.

”

“ 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