Boy Chorister Experience – 21 January

The boy choristers of Truro Cathedral are preparing to host their annual Chorister Experience day on Saturday 21 January.

All boys currently in Years 2, 3, 4, and 5 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 21 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.

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. In addition, the choristers take part in special projects such as Grenfell: From Today, Sing2G7, and Britain’s Got Talent. Their new CD, recorded with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, was released in November; after Easter they will perform on the Isles of Scilly as part of a four-day mini-tour.

Chris Gray, Director of Music at Truro Cathedral: “The event itself is a wonderful opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a chorister. Boys will 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, they will have the opportunity to learn music and sing along with the choristers.”

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.

Chorister Ollie, age 10: “When I’m singing in the cathedral, I feel respected but also free; it’s definitely my calm space. In rehearsal, I enjoy improving and getting better. Our commitment and skills improve but, even though we work hard, it’s all so much fun. You make a lot of friends in choir and develop good communication skills; singing helps so much with that. Being a chorister has changed my life. It’s so much fun and I really recommend trying it.”

The benefits of becoming a chorister at Truro Cathedral are huge, including taking part in live broadcasts, CD recordings, and foreign tours, scholarships and bursaries to support education at Truro School, and performing with an outstanding choir directed by specialist professional musicians in one of the South West’s finest buildings.

Any boy currently in years 2, 3, and 5 can apply to be a chorister, regardless of academic background and faith.

For more information and to book a place, please email [email protected].