There has been a Cathedral Choir at Ely for over one thousand years making our boy choristers part of a musical tradition which stretches back for many centuries. The girl choristers are a more recent arrival (they were formed in 2006). They now play a full and equal part in this extraordinary lineage. Our principal task is to sing the daily services in the Cathedral, just as the monks and nuns did from the time it was founded as a monastic institution in the seventh century. The Choral Foundation at Ely allows for a total of twenty-four each of boy and girl choristers. These musicians study at King’s Ely School, one of the oldest schools in England having been founded in 970AD. Benefitting from an historic setting, and a broad and balanced curriculum fit for the 21st Century, choristers enjoy weekly sessions of sport, design technology, art and drama alongside their music making.
Our Choristers
24 boy choristers. 24 girl choristers.
Recruited from Year 3 up to Year 6. Boys sing until their voice changes. The girls’ programme is for four years.
All attend King’s Ely. Boarding is not required although flexible and full boarding in Walsingham Boarding and Priory Houses is possible (subject to space availability).
Touring is part of the Cathedral’s broader mission. It is hoped that all choristers will participate in at least one tour during their time in the choirs.
The aim is to develop our choristers into fully-rounded musicians. They are encouraged therefore to take singing lessons, to study musical theory and to learn at least one other instrument.
Rehearsals take place before and after school. The daily services are shared equally between the boy and girl choristers on a rotating two-week schedule. There are no chorister commitments on a Wednesday. In addition, there may be extra events such as special services, recordings, broadcasts and concerts at which the choristers will be expected to sing.
Applications and auditions will be held in January/February in line with the main admissions intake for King’s Ely. Special arrangements can be made for voice trials outside of this core recruitment period.
