Boys first sang at Wells Cathedral in 909 and the full Choral tradition dates back over 800 years. In 1994, Wells Cathedral became the second English Cathedral to launch a girls’ Choir. Today, the Cathedral Choir, considered to be one of the finest in the world, consists of Boy Choristers, Girl Choristers, and a professional ‘back row’ of 12 Vicars Choral.
The Choristers at Wells Cathedral consist of eighteen boys and eighteen girls. These two Choirs sing separately and together, usually with the Vicars Choral, and occasionally on their own. The Choir has a broad and diverse repertoire, often premiering and championing contemporary church music alongside regular performances of the traditional cathedral choir repertoire.
All Choristers are educated at Wells Cathedral School and there are significant discounts and bursaries available for choristers.
Our Choristers
The boys’ and girls’ choir usually sing one Choral Evensong a week with the Vicars Choral as separate choirs, one Evensong as ‘choristers’ only and at least three services as a mixed boy/girl choir with Vicars Choral.
Boarding for choristers is available but not required. Chorister places are usually offered for entry in Year 4 with choristers attending Wells Cathedral Prep School until the end of Year 6 and Wells Cathedral School for Years 7-9 (the normal end of a choristers’ tenure is the end of Year 9).
Given Wells Cathedral School’s status as both a Choir and a Music Specialist School there are numerous opportunities for the choristers to enhance their musical education and opportunities more broadly, and there are frequent orchestral collaborations between the Cathedral Choir and the School.
The Director of Music is happy to meet prospective choristers at any time, with most formal auctions taking place in January.
More information about our choristers is available on the Wells Cathedral School website.
