Boy Chorister Experience Day

Saturday 13 January, 2024

The boy choristers of Truro Cathedral Choir are inviting boys from across Cornwall to join them on 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 13 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. Seven girl choristers from Truro Cathedral Choir were invited to join the choirs of Westminster Abbey and HM Chapel Royal Choir, St James’s Palace to sing at the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort, on Saturday 6 May, alongside seven young singers from Methodist College, Belfast.

James Anderson-Besant, Director of Music at Truro Cathedral: “The event is a wonderful chance for boys who have a love of music and singing to experience what it’s like to be a chorister. On the day, the boys will get to meet other choristers and get a real understanding of what life as a chorister is like. It is a phenomenal experience just to be near to the magnificent organ when it plays in Truro Cathedral; to sing along as a part of the choir brings another level of joy.”

On the day, the boys will sing in the Cathedral choir stalls, explore the crypt where they rehearse, try on a chorister’s cassock and surplice, 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.

Any boy currently in years 2, 3 or 4 can apply to be a chorister, regardless of academic background and faith.

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

About Truro Cathedral

Truro Cathedral is a vibrant, active church at the physical and spiritual heart of our city. Built by the people of Cornwall for everyone to experience and enjoy, Truro Cathedral plays an important role in our modern lives, striking an important balance to provide both sacred space, in which the holiness of God is encountered in an open and inclusive way, and common ground, where issues shared by the whole of humanity can be explored.

Run as an independent, self-funded entity, Truro Cathedral continues to develop its long-term strategic plan, ensuring that the organisation has the resilience to flourish and continue to serve the communities of Cornwall for generations to come. To find out more, visit www.trurocathedral.org.uk

About Truro School

Steeped in 140 years of history, Truro School is Cornwall’s leading independent school for girls and boys aged 3-18. The School is situated over two campuses, the Senior School set within 40 acres of sports fields and open spaces overlooking Truro and its iconic Cathedral, and a vibrant Prep School located next to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Truro School offers high levels of academic study combined with a broad range of co-curricular opportunities and aims to nurture and challenge pupils to become the very best of themselves – confident, respectful, broad-minded, and enthusiastic young people with choices in life and a sense of purpose and individuality.