Girl Choristers

King's Ely Prep

Girl Choristers

Girls may join the Ely Cathedral Girls Choir in Years 4 - 8.

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Girl Choristers can attend King’s Ely as day pupils, flexi or full boarders.

Cathedral Choir Open Day, Sunday 12th October 1:00 - 5:00pm 

Find out what it is like being a member of Ely's world-famous Cathedral Choir. Participants will enjoy musical fun and games, try on choir robes, explore the Cathedral, and perform in public with the boy and girl choristers. Refreshments and goody bags provided!

This event is for children from any school currently in Years 2 - 5.

Register straight away here or contact us to find out more.

For an informal chat about choristership call 01353 660336 or click here to learn more

Girl choristers at King’s Ely receive an unrivalled musical education, performing daily as professionals in the Cathedral, as well as in venues all over the world.

They learn skills of self-discipline and confidence, and gain an appreciation of hard work and high standards which lasts a lifetime: choristers go on to successful careers in all fields and develop a passion for music. It's a big commitment for them and their families, but they make life-long friendships and have a lot of fun.

Entry is by informal audition, which is designed to spot potential: the most important things are enthusiasm, a musical ear and a love of singing.

How Choristership Works

There are up to 24 girl choristers at any one time. Potential choristers audition for a place during Year 2 or 3, enter the Cathedral Choir as Probationers in Year 3 or 4, and leave the choir at the end of Year 8.

Occasionally, children join the choir in other years, when vacancies arise. There are currently also a handful of girl choristers in Years 9 – 11, who are completing their time in the choir following changes to the girls' age range.

The girl choristers rehearse every day (except Wednesday) before school, and sing three or four services in a typical week: Evensong after school every Monday and on alternate Tuesdays, and two services between Frjday and Sunday, where their duties alternate with the boy choristers. They also sing at the major festivals of Christmas and Easter, as well as participating in regular foreign tours, recordings and TV and radio broadcasts. This schedule allows the choristers plenty of downtime, as well as space for academic work, sport, and the many other opportunities that King's Ely has to offer.

All choristers receive an award of 40% of the day fee. Singing and theory lessons are provided free of charge. Means-tested bursaries are available, and we aim to ensure that no gifted child is denied this life-changing opportunity purely due to financial limitations. Choristers who stay at the school after leaving the choir automatically qualify for a further fee award as long as they continue to contribute significantly to its musical life. This award is 33% of the day fee in Years 9-11, and 25% of the day fee in Years 12-13.

Throughout a chorister’s time in the choir, there is constant communication between the music staff and school’s academic and boarding staff in order to ensure that their time is being managed effectively and sensibly.  The choristers’ welfare is a top priority for everyone who works with them.
Chorister Staff  

The Director of the Girl Choristers is Sarah MacDonald. The Cathedral Director of Music is Edmund Aldhouse. He has responsibility for all music in the Cathedral, and is also directly responsible for training the boy choristers.

The Assistant Director of Music is Jeremy Lloyd. 
Girl choristers may be day pupils, flexi-boarders, or full boarders in Priory House, whose Housemistress is Nikki Hughes.

For further details, please contact the Director of the Girl Choristers:
Sarah MacDonald

CHORISTER HANDBOOK

ELY CATHEDRAL WEBSITE

Download Application Form

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