Norwich Youngest Chorister Meets The Oldest!

Earlier this month the Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers’ Associations were in Norwich for their annual festival. As Chairman Alastair Pollard says: “The events and experiences of being a cathedral chorister remain with you all your life, ably demonstrated when the oldest of Norwich’s ex-choristers met the youngest current chorister in Norwich Cathedral.” Duncan joined … Continue reading →

Stoller Hall Manchester Opening Season Continues!

Chetham’s School of Music’s state of the art concert hall was officially opened on 23 April during an Opening Celebration Concert – the culmination of an action-packed weekend which started with a live BBC 3 In Tune broadcast of music and interviews from The Stoller Hall.  Richard Morrison, writing in The Times said: “Whether in Walton’s Henry V music or … Continue reading →

Three RIBA 2017 Awards for CSA Members

Congratulations to Chetham’s School of Music, Wells Cathedral School and Leicester Cathedral, all of whom appear on this year’s RIBA list of buildings across the UK that have been recognised as significant contributions to architecture. Chetham’s Stoller Hall and Cedars Hall at Wells are not only architectural winners but are both fantastic additions as performance spaces … Continue reading →

Bristol Pupil Holds Willcocks Organ Scholarship

13 year-old Ida Hayes, a pupil at Bristol Cathedral Choir School, is learning to play the organ, thanks to a scholarship from the David Willcocks Music Trust. Ida is a cathedral chorister and also plays the piano and bassoon. She started lessons last September with Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers, Mark Lee, who … Continue reading →

Former Chorister Checks Out 21st Century Boarding!

Alistair Pollard, Chairman of The Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers’ Associations (FCOCA), took time off from the Federation’s AGM in Oxford on 6 May to meet up with Christ Church Cathedral School head, Richard Murray, to tour the School’s recently refurbished boarding accommodation. Following the visit Alistair said: “These boarding facilities are considerably more comfortable than what I … Continue reading →

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.. … Continue reading →

Boy Choristers Inspire the Next Generation at King’s Ely

PUPILS at King’s Ely were in their element discovering more about what it is like to be an Ely Cathedral Boy Chorister. Boys in Year 2 at King’s Ely Acremont joined the Year 3 and 4 King’s Ely Junior cathedral choristers for an action-packed afternoon. First of all, they learnt all about the cathedral organ, … Continue reading →

Singing helps keep ‘internal chatter’ at bay says CSA Chair

Singing is a highly effective way of helping to deal with mental ‘chatter’ and today’s demanding lifestyle, CSA Chairman Paul Smith, said in his address at this year’s Annual Conference in Durham. This was just one of a feast of brilliant contributors, debate and fun enjoyed by choir school heads over two superb days designed by our … Continue reading →

St John’s College School Pupil Enjoys Success!

Blake Chen, a Year 8 pupil at St John’s College School in Cambridge, has been very busy in recent weeks. He took part in a piano masterclass with Peter Donohoe in January, and two months later gave a lunchtime recital at school, performing Beethoven’s F major Sonata, Op. 10, no. 2 and Ravel’s Sonatine. As Simon Kirk, the school’s … Continue reading →

Hereford Cathedral School success in Schools’ Challenge

A four-boy team from Hereford Cathedral School reached the finals of the senior Schools’ Challenge 2017, the national general knowledge competition for schools in the UK. The Final at Westminster School on Sunday 23 April was the culmination of a hard fought competition which started at regional level. The 15 regional winners then played an inter-regional round, … Continue reading →