CSA Welcomes Old Chorister Federation Chairman

The Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers’ Association (FCOCA) is the umbrella organisation for old (former) chorister associations at more than 50 cathedrals and other choral foundations.

CSA was delighted to see FCOCA Chairman, Alastair Pollard, at its Annual Conference in Durham in early May and invited him to tell you more about the Association and its work..

“Old Choristers associations exist to promote friendship amongst people who have enjoyed being choristers, bringing them together each year at events around the country.  We also help publicise events of national importance directly relevant to former choristers, and work with organisations such as CSA and The Friends of Cathedral Music (FCM). We have been known to lobby, overtly and behind the scenes, to assist in maintaining and improving the high standard of cathedral music that plays such a vital part in cathedral worship.

“Being a chorister, be it as a child or an adult, is very special to the individual, but difficult to put into words. It starts with singing choral music in a beautiful environment, often leading to a life-long love of sacred music, an appreciation of church architecture, and a spirituality, typically Christian but not exclusively.

“FCOCA was set up in 1911 at Peterborough Cathedral with representatives from just 7 Cathedral old chorister associations. Membership now extends overseas. It was interesting to note that most of the choir schools at CSA’s 2017 Conference are linked to an old chorister member association in the Federation and our aim is to embrace them all. The most successful associations are those that enjoy a good relationship with the choir school, or the local schools that provide the choristers for cathedral choirs.

Soon after leaving us, Alastair headed off to Oxford as it was Christ Church Cathedral’s turn to host the Federation’s AGM. Later this year it will be enjoying its Annual Festival in Norwich.

You can find out more at www.fcoca.org.uk