Gramophone Award-winning ensemble La Serenissima has been ‘whipping up a storm with Vivaldi’ (The Telegraph) since 1994; the ensemble, based in Gloucester, has topped the UK Classical Chart and has over 1 million listeners on Spotify. Their music features in film (Portrait of a Lady on Fire), advertising (Beats, Prada, Versace) and radio (BBC Radio 3 ‘Building a Library’).
The Chorister Bursary Fund is a vital part of life for choristers if further financial assistance is needed beyond their choral scholarship. Means-tested bursaries ensure that talented children from a wide variety of backgrounds can access the academic and musical education of the school and cathedral. Not only does this provide support for the pupils, but it also ensures that Gloucester’s centuries-old music tradition continues to be accessible to talented children across the region – today and in the future.
All proceeds from The Big Concert go to supporting The Gloucester Cathedral Chorister Bursary Fund.
Come along to a day of open auditions for the opportunity to sing with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
There are four performance opportunities: one morning and one evening performance at Lighthouse, Poole on Tuesday 22 December also a solo in the Christmas at the Movies concerts at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on Sunday 29 November and Bristol Beacon on Friday 4 December.
Applicant requirements
Applications are open to children between 9-13 years old on the day of the audition. Please note that boys should only apply if they have a treble voice.
How to apply
The applicant’s parent or guardian must complete an online form which can be found via this link.
The deadline for completion of forms is Friday 18 September at 5pm.
After this deadline, all applicants will be invited to attend a morning group audition (approximately 15 children per group). If they are shortlisted, they will attend a solo audition in the afternoon.
Audition Details
Audition Date: Saturday 26 September
Time: from 11:30am
Venue: St Nicholas Church, 30 Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, Dorset, BH21 3LE
The Chetham’s Summer School Singing & Performance Course, taking place in August 2026, has a focus on both solo and ensemble work. The Singing and Performance course will explore a wide range of musical styles – from classical and contemporary to choral, opera and musical theatre – and is led by expert staff from Chetham’s renowned Vocal Department.
The Summer School course structure has been developed to elevate and inspire young people’s experiences of singing, performing and enjoying many different genres of music.
Financial support is available for students who need it, with the organisers hoping to reach as many young people as possible.
We are delighted to invite members of the Choir Schools’ Association to our Conference in Oxford, from 29th April to 1st May 2026, bringing together the choral music community under the theme:
Support • Connect • Celebrate
This conference will be an opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and re-energise your work with the choristers through new ideas, shared experiences and collaboration.
Why attend?
Delegates will benefit from:
Whether you are a head, director of music, chaplain, precentor or senior leader, this conference will leave you feeling supported, connected, and proud to be part of the choral community.
Oxford provides a rich and reflective setting to pause, think and return to your role with renewed clarity and inspiration. We very much hope you will join us for what promises to be an uplifting and enriching conference.
More details can be found HERE
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Gloucester Cathedral are hosting an inspiring evening with Ash Alexander-Cooper on 24th April, exploring the story behind his acclaimed book Mindful Soldier.
Ash’s story is quite extraordinary; he was a chorister at Winchester Cathedral, an elite sportsman, a member of the Gurkhas, flew Army helicopters and undertook service in the Special Forces. Since leaving the army Ash has worked in industry alongside his charitable work – and he plans to row the Atlantic next year!
In conversation, Ash will talk about resilience, service and overcoming life’s toughest challenges. All proceeds go to the Cathedral’s In Tune music project, the Royal British Legion Industrie, and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Endorsements include those by Bear Grylls and Rory Stewart.
“An essential and inspirational guide to surviving and thriving, whatever life throws at you” – Bear Grylls
Tickets
General Entry plus signed copy of Mindful Soldier – £22
General Entry – £12
Student Concession – £5
Click the link below to book your tickets:
On Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 7.30 pm in Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Cathedral Choir will be performing J S Bach’s St John Passion, conducted by Peter Dyke.
The performance will be accompanied by the period-instrument orchestra Marches Baroque and also features a distinguished line-up of soloists, led by the tenor Ruairi Bowen as the Evangelist. He will be joined by William Gaunt as Christus, Hannah Dienes-Williams (soprano), Matthew Farrell (alto) and Gareth Brynmor John (bass).
The cathedral choir’s annual Holy Week performances of Bach’s Passions have become a fixture in Hereford’s musical diary in recent years, along with its biennial performances of the Christmas Oratorio. This will be the first time Peter Dyke has conducted the St John Passion at Hereford Cathedral as he steps into the role of interim director of music following the retirement of Geraint Bowen in February.
The St John Passion is the shorter and more immediately dramatic of Bach’s two settings, and tells the story of the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus according to the account in St John’s Gospel. Bach’s exquisite and unparalleled music perfectly expresses the profound and emotional atmosphere of Holy Week.
Peter Dyke said, “The St John Passion is a very special work for me. It’s the first great choral work I got to know as a singer, as an eleven-year-old treble. I remember being captivated by Bach’s beautifully expressive chorale harmonies and the drama of the opening chorus. I’m hugely looking forward to working with the cathedral choir, Marches Baroque and our wonderful soloists to present this great music to our Hereford audience.”
Tickets cost £25 (front nave), £18 (rear nave) and £10 for individuals aged 25 and under (rear nave) and are available to purchase online at www.herefordcathedral.org or from the Cathedral Ticket Desk either in person or on the phone (01432 374 202).
This concert has kindly been supported by the W A Cadbury Charitable Trust and Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.
Join the choir of New Hall School in Chelmsford Cathedral for a captivating performance of Handel’s Messiah presented by Beaulieu Park Singers on Saturday 14th March.
Doors open at 6.30pm for 7.00pm start
Location: Chelmsford Cathedral, Chelmsford, CM1 1EH
Talented girls in current Year 2, 3 or 4 who enjoy singing are invited to audition to become King’s School Choristers in the historic Cathedral Choir. King’s School Choristers experience a unique way of life and benefit from a wonderfully enriched musical, academic and cultural education.
Talented boys in current Year 2, 3 or 4 who enjoy singing are invited to audition to become King’s School Choristers in the historic Cathedral Choir. King’s School Choristers experience a unique way of life and benefit from a wonderfully enriched musical, academic and cultural education.
Potential choristers have clear natural voice and enjoy singing and music. They can pitch notes accurately and repeat simple melodies and rhythms and have potential and enthusiasm rather than prior experience!
All Choristers receive a 40% reduction on school fees at King’s Ely (equal to at least £8,750 per year), with further means-tested bursaries available. Any child can become an Ely Cathedral chorister, regardless of financial circumstances
Auditions for the choir take place throughout the year, although the main auditions are on Friday 27 February (for children already at King’s Ely) or Saturday 28 February (for children at any school).
To find out more and arrange a chat or informal audition: music@elycathedral.org Tel: 01353 660336
If your son has a love or singing and music, whether he has had formal training or not, Chorister life could be his dream come true so we encourage you to get in touch and find out more.
Auditions for boys currently in Year 3 or Year 4 will be held on Tuesday 20 January 2026 and Tuesday 3 March 2026.
The first step is to contact Katie Randle, Registrar, telephone 01223 365814 or email choristers@kings.cam.ac.uk, to arrange a telephone or zoom conversation, tour or informal audition.
More information about being a chorister at King’s College School can be found here: https://www.kcs.cambs.sch.uk/choristers/become-a-kings-chorister/