Boy Chorister Experience Day

The boy choristers of Truro Cathedral are preparing to host their annual Chorister Experience day. All boys currently in Years 2, 3 and 4 are welcome. Places are free but must be pre-booked by contacting [email protected]. The event runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday 22 January and culminates in the Cushion Concert where the choristers present a short programme of accessible music, joined for several items by boys on the Chorister Experience day. Parents are welcome to attend the Cushion Concert at 2.30pm.

The cathedral’s director of music, Christopher Gray will be leading the day: “Come and experience what it’s like to be a chorister in Truro Cathedral Choir! Get to know the choristers and what they do; stand in the beautiful choir stalls where they sing in the amazing space of the cathedral; explore the crypt where they rehearse; try on a chorister’s cassock and surplice and see and hear the mighty cathedral organ being played close up! And, of course, learn music and sing along with the choristers, culminating in performing a concert along with them.”

Truro Cathedral has had choristers at its beating heart since opening its doors in 1887. As well as upholding that unbroken tradition, the choristers represent Cornwall’s arts scene on an international stage, with live broadcasts on television and radio and recordings with some of the UK’s leading orchestras. They also have a lot of fun, with regular excursions and occasional concerts further afield along with special projects such as Grenfell From Today, Sing2G7 and Britain’s Got Talent. Their new CD of Christmas music, recorded in May, has just been released; they have just given a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3; and after Christmas, they will record a CD with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

When asked what being a chorister means to him, year 5 chorister Harris said, “Being a boy chorister is the best thing. I love singing so much and waited a long time until I was old enough to be a chorister, and now that I am one it feels amazing. I have some great friends in the choir and I feel really lucky to be able to sing nearly every day. I love being a Truro Cathedral Chorister – it’s epic!”

The chorister programme is run jointly by the cathedral and Truro School and provides a world-class musical opportunity here in Cornwall. All of Truro Cathedral’s choristers are educated at Truro School where they each receive a 25% scholarship as well as being eligible for additional means-tested support.

There is a separate pathway for girl choristers with details on the Truro Cathedral and Truro School websites.