Chorister FAQs
The Choir Schools’ Association is here to help families who are considering the exciting opportunity of being a chorister.
We have tried to answer some of the most commonly-asked questions below, but please do not hesitate to contact us if there is something we haven’t covered.
Why consider becoming a chorister?
For children who love singing, becoming a chorister is a wonderful opportunity to develop as a musician, learn to work as a part of a team, make lifelong friendships and perform to the highest standards in some stunning settings [in the UK and even worldwide].
How can we find out more?
Many cathedrals and chapels with choristers hold taster events to give children the opportunity to sing with the choir and learn more about the experience. Attending services when the choristers are singing is the best way to understand what it’s all about. Cathedrals and Chapels publish their service times together with the music they will be singing on their websites. Directors of Music are often happy to meet families informally and listen to children sing before they make a formal application. See our Forthcoming Events page for more information.
Do all choristers attend the same school?
In many cases, yes. The Choir Schools’ Association was originally formed by schools where all choristers were educated together, and this is still the case for the majority of our members, some of which are also boarding schools, offering a range of options which might include full, weekly, occasional or flexi-boarding. We also have members whose choristers are drawn from a range of local schools. The best way to find out about the options available in your area is to look at our search function – don’t forget that boarding options may enable you to look at schools across a wider area.
How are choristers selected?
Most settings hold auditions or voice trials at which children are asked to sing a song they know well and have prepared in advance. In addition, there are usually some simple listening tests to see how they respond to musical prompts. Each choir will provide clear information in advance so children know what to expect. A chorister audition is all about finding potential; no one is ever expected to be an experienced singer or musician, but they absolutely do need to have a great love of singing.
How do choristers manage this commitment alongside their schoolwork and other activities?
Choristers do have a busy schedule, but it is not an impossible one. As with any child who pursues an interest in sport, or dance to an exceptionally high standard, there are undoubtedly very real demands on their time. Choristers learn to be well organised and quickly get used to the routine of rehearsals and services, and still have time to be involved in other after-school activities. In most settings there are rehearsals before the start of the school day, two or more services of Evensong after school each week and at least two services on a Sunday. An individual chorister’s schedule will depend on the structure and requirements of the choir in that particular setting. Most choristers also continue to sing during the school holidays at Christmas and Easter.
How are choristers trained?
The best way to think of choristership is as a musical apprenticeship: younger choristers naturally copy their older colleagues and they learn by doing. As they sing almost every day of the week, they learn to read music and become proficient at sightreading. Probationers (the name usually given to trainee choristers when they first start working with the choir) often have a special programme of training which includes singing and music theory.
What happens after choristership?
Choristers usually leave the choir at the end of Year 8 or, in some cases, Year 9 but this very much depends on the setting. Traditionally choristers have progressed to senior schools at age 13, often with music or choral scholarships, and this remains the case in many places. However, some choristers are educated in schools which offer education up to the age of 18 and are able to stay at the same school, continuing their involvement in a school or chapel choir. Wherever choristers continue their education, if they want to continue singing, their skills and experience will be warmly welcomed.
What are the costs involved in being a chorister?
The majority of choir schools are independent schools which charge fees. Where the school is directly attached to the foundation, it is usual for the foundation to offer some level of bursary (chorister scholarship) to assist with those fees and additional means-tested support is often available. Both the Choir Schools’ Association and the schools themselves are committed to ensuring that finance should not be a barrier to participation for potential choristers. The Choir Schools’ Association and other charitable trusts can also provide help. Please contact us if you would like more information.
What sort of children are likely to thrive as choristers?
There is no pretending that the commitment isn’t a big one, but for a child who loves to sing, the experience is hugely rewarding. Cathedral choristers and those in College Foundations are often singing alongside other professional musicians, so this experience and the training that is associated with it, should not be confused with the usual ‘after-school’ activities in which many children may be involved. Successful choristers first and foremost tend to love singing and thrive on the opportunity to be part of the musical heritage, the historic buildings and the spiritual spaces that their choir occupies. They need to be motivated and excited about learning, and easily able to manage their other education commitments. As choristers that will be required to be reading complex music and often singing in other languages; it’s a level of challenge that should excite them. Choristers are resilient – they are able to perform under pressure and not be disheartened if something does not immediately come easily to them. Lastly, they tend to be sociable and responsible – they spend a great deal of time with other children and they need to manage a busy schedule.
Can children from any background become choristers?
Yes! Organisations like the CSA, working alongside schools and choirs, have worked very hard in recent years to support children from a wide range of backgrounds. Cathedrals, churches, schools and choirs all greatly value the strength that comes from having a diverse, flourishing group of pupils as part of their community.
Do I need to be Christian for my child to become a chorister?
There is no requirement for choristers or their families to be practising Christians, but there would need to be a willingness to respect the worship that defines the setting. The music sung by CSA member choirs will predominantly be that of the Christian tradition, so as a minimum, choristers should be prepared to understand and engage at some level with the music and liturgy (words) that they are singing. Some choristers may choose to be confirmed.