Previously named St Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich Minster was redesignated on 19 January 2024, reflecting its role and outreach ministry in the area.
The choir has been central to the church’s ministry both in the music outreach it has provided in the local community as well as the high standard of ‘cathedral-style’ choral tradition at the heart of our worship.
The choir of Ipswich Minster sings four choral services each week: Matins, Eucharist and Evensong on a Sunday and ‘upper voices’ Evensong on Thursdays. The choir undertakes a busy schedule at Christmas and Easter and frequently performs in concert such as Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s St John Passion and Mozart’s Requiem.
The choir tours regularly – both home and abroad – and has made a number of recordings in recent years. In addition, the choir has broadcast services on BBC radio and for the Church of England.
In 2023, Ipswich Minster and Framlingham College entered a partnership to enable a sustainable singing outreach programme both in Ipswich and in East Suffolk, providing pathways into further choral opportunities at Ipswich Minster.
Our Choristers
The choir maintains separate boy and girl chorister sections amongst whom the services are shared. All choristers sing approximately 10 services a month. Choristers in years 3-8 rehearse twice during the week. Year 9+ rehearse only once.
The choir sings 42 weeks per year including busy schedules at Christmas and Easter, though choristers have one Sunday per month where they are not called upon.
Choristers are recruited from over 15 local state and private schools. Boarding is not a requirement, but special provision and singing scholarships are available from Framlingham College for its students.
Auditions are held by appointment, though prospective choristers (aged 7-13) are also encouraged to attend the ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’ events, which are held termly.
Our girl choristers have the option of remaining in the choir after year 8 until they finish school, albeit with reduced rehearsal time and an expectation they will have attained a high musical standard by year 9.
Boys whose voices have changed and wish to continue are encouraged to do so and are ‘buddied’ with a member of our ATB section.
All choristers receive individual singing lessons provided by Ipswich Minster.
Find out more about becoming a chorister at St. Mary-le-Tower.
