New Recruits for Canterbury Choir Stalls

Four of the Cathedral’s  choristers became part of Canterbury’s historic tradition when they were formally admitted to the Cathedral Foundation* on Sunday.

Theo Bawtree, Christopher Bufford, Mark Lower and Fergus McKie joined the many others who have gone before them to have their names added to the membership of the Foundation.

Felix Preston was made Senior Chorister during Sunday’s Evensong and fellow choristers Orlando Barton Hodges and Joseph Henry, also in their last year as choristers, were made side leaders.

During the service the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Dr Robert Willis said: “Carry out your duties to the best of your ability so that the worship of the Cathedral may be enriched with beauty and dignity.”

Voice trials

Auditions for new choristers to join in 2018 are to be held in November when boys, now aged 7 or 8, who enjoy singing, are invited to try out for the choir. See www.choirschools.org.uk/voice-trial-dates/ for more information. All of the 25 choristers attend St Edmund’s School in Canterbury and there are substantial scholarships.

Master of the Choristers and Cathedral Organist Dr David Flood said: “Don’t wait until November if you are interested. I would be delighted to meet and advise  at any convenient time. It is not necessary to have had any musical training, I am just looking for potential and I will give lots of encouragement, help about how to prepare for the audition and can answer any queries and give all sorts of information.  Above all music-making in the Cathedral is fun and the life of a chorister is a wonderful and unique experience.”

Canterbury Cathedral choir enjoys the very highest reputation across the world and performs to many thousands of people every year. The choir records regularly and their CDs are highly regarded.  The choristers have the opportunity to participate in major tours including a visit to Rome last October and a two-week tour of America in April 2018.

Master of the Choristers and Cathedral Organist Dr David Flood said: “Don’t wait until November if you are interested. I would be delighted to meet and advise  at any convenient time. It is not necessary to have had any musical training, I am just looking for potential and I will give lots of encouragement, help about how to prepare for the audition and can answer any queries and give all sorts of information.  Above all music-making in the Cathedral is fun and the life of a chorister is a wonderful and unique experience.”

Canterbury Cathedral choir enjoys the very highest reputation across the world and performs to many thousands of people every year. The choir records regularly and their CDs are highly regarded.  The choristers have the opportunity to participate in major tours including a visit to Rome last October and a two-week tour of America in April 2018.