The Pilgrims’ School is an outstanding prep and pre-prep, ideally located between two prestigious foundations it serves with boy choristers: Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College. The boys who sing for Winchester College are uniquely known as Quiristers, a term derived from the old word ‘Quire’. This distinction is just one of the school’s unique features; it is the only UK school supporting two separate, world-class choral foundations.
Celebrated for its academic and musical excellence, The Pilgrims’ School offers a well-rounded education with a wide variety of sports teams, extracurricular activities, and personal development opportunities. Each boy is valued individually, and the school maintains a warm, family-like atmosphere. Generous bursaries are available for Choristers and Quiristers, with potential rather than prior ability being the key to a successful audition. We encourage all interested families to contact our admissions team for more information.
Our Choristers
Quiristers, typically aged 9 to 13, begin participating in all practices, rehearsals, and services from their first term in Year 5, which serves as a probationary year. The Quiristers perform at least four weekly services in Winchester College Chapel, including Compline on Saturdays. While the Qs are required to board at Q School, they may return home after any Sunday service.
The Choristers sing at least five services each week, from Thursday to Monday. Boys typically begin their probationary year in Year 4, gradually taking on more service commitments until they are officially made full Choristers. They may have Saturday and Sunday evenings free and are expected to arrive on their own for Sunday services. There are no obligations during exeats or half-terms. After each term ends, a period known as ‘choirtime’ follows (only applies to Choristers)—a residential period of about ten days leading up to Christmas, Easter, or the Southern Cathedrals Festival in July. This is a particularly magical time for the Choristers, as they enjoy not only the special seasonal services but also school life filled with excursions and special events outside the choir stalls.
“Be a Chorister for a Day” takes place on Saturday, 9th November, offering interested prospective Choristers a chance to go behind the scenes, with auditions scheduled for the Lent Term.
