Be a Chorister for a Day

Many cathedrals hold Be a Chorister for a Day or chorister open days to give children a taste of what life is like as a cathedral chorister. The idea was pioneered by St Paul’s Cathedral School in the late 1990’s. In November 2000 Salisbury Cathedral School coined the phrase BACFAD and many more have since followed suit.

Check out the individual websites using the links to members to see if a cathedral near you does this.

January 2019

  • Chelmsford: Be a Chorister for an afternoon at Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 26 January from 2pm until 6pm.  Join the choristers for warm-ups, singing workshops, and games. Refreshments for parents and guardians who can meet other choir parents. Find out more from James Davy, Organist & Master of the Choristers on 01245 294481 or james.davy@chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk.
  • Croydon Minster: Be a Boy Chorister for a Day on Sunday 27 January from 3pm – 7.30pm. Learn some new music to sing with the Minster Choir, hear the Organ and find out about choral scholarships. Click Croydon Minster Boy Choristers Jan 19 or email Organist and Director of Music, Ronny Krippner at organist@croydonminster.org  for more information.

February

  • Westminster Cathedral’s Chorister Open Morning this year is on Sunday 3rd February at Westminster Cathedral Choir School from 10.30 am – 2.30 pm. An event for families who would like to find out more about chorister life, aimed principally at boys in Year 3 or Year 2 (aged 6 – 8 years), who might be considering entry into Year 4 in either September 2019 or 2020. Please contact Miss Lucy Auger if you are interested in attending on 020 7931 6099 or lauger@choirschool.com.
  • Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford is organising its next Chorister for a Day on Saturday 9 February from 2.30pm – 7.15pm.  It is open to boys aged six to nine. The day includes Tea in Christ Church’s Harry Potter Great Hall and participation in Evensong. Parents are invited to have tours of the School, Great Hall and Cathedral whilst children participate in rehearsals and craft activities. For more information or to book a place, please contact Mrs Clare James, Registrar, at registrar@cccs.org.uk or on 01865 242561. CCCS CFAD and voice trials flyer 2019
  • Winchester Cathedral is holding an Open Afternoon for girls in Years 6 and 7 on Saturday, 9 February. The girls will sing and rehearse with the current choristers and Cathedral Vocal Coach, Hilary Llystyn Jones, and sing the Anthem at Evensong in Winchester Cathedral. Parents will be able to meet with current chorister families and key personnel from the music department and the Cathedral. To find out more about the Open Afternoon please contact the Choirs’ Administrator on 01962 857219 or email choirs@winchester-cathedral.org.uk.
  • Windsor: A Chorister for a Day event to be held on Saturday, 9 February from 12.30pm to 6.30pm at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Advanced booking is essential and closing date for applications is Friday 1 February. Please contact Francesca Alden on 01753 848797 or email her on cfad@stgeorges-windsor.org.

March 

  • Westminster Abbey, London: The next Chorister Experience Day is on Saturday 2 March. Wonderful opportunity for boys age 7-8 to see behind the scenes and get to sing in the Abbey. For contact details click here: https://www.abbeychoirschool.org/admissions/chorister-experience-events/.
  • Bristol Cathedral is holding a BAFCAD event on Saturday 9 March from 11 am – 4.30 pm. Budding musicians in Year 4 and their families are invited for a day of singing, activities and Choral Evensong. For more information or to book a place contact The Music Administrator, Tim Popple at tim.popple@bristol-cathedral.co.uk or telephone him on 0117 946 8173.

October