Extract from an article which appeared in Somerset Life in September 2025, written by Andrea Cowen.
“A trip to Wells Cathedral is always a joy. The sound of the organ and chorister voices have been part of the historical fabric of the building for centuries, breathing life into the stones. Visit any day of the week and you can attend a service which fills the cathedral with choral music, and that’s aside from the extensive calendar of concerts, recitals and other performances.
For any gifted child, to be a chorister and part of the cathedral community would be the opportunity of a lifetime but for many, with attending Wells Cathedral School as a prerequisite, this will seem out of reach.
Well, it’s official: dreams can come true. Or at least they can with Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust. Founded in 2003, and with HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh as its Royal Patron, the WCCT has tirelessly raised money to ensure that the cathedral choir can recruit young choristers on merit alone, with no child being denied a place for financial reason. The Trust is able to do this because of the generosity of donors. ‘Our friends and ambassadors enable the trust to plan ahead and support as many children as possible,’ says Arnold Wills, chair of WCCT.
If this wasn’t enough, Arnold was delighted to announce some very exciting news. ‘Two years ago in September 2023 following the coronation of King Charles, and with the encouragement of HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, the Trust launched the Coronation Fund which had the ambitious aim of raising £500,000 by September 2025. This fund is in addition to the Trust’s general funds which provide ongoing bursaries,’ says Arnold. ‘I am so proud to say, we have reached our target. Through this unique fund, we will be able to offer the life-changing opportunity of becoming a chorister to a child whose family need 95-100% of the school fees to be covered.’
It’s a staggering amount of money to have raised and shows the passion that so many people have for the chorister cause, not least HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh who urged people to ‘support this very special appeal to ensure “that there are no lost voices” by providing opportunities for these amazing children.’”
The full article can be read here: ‘No Lost Voices’ Article in Somerset Life Magazine — Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust
The Choir Schools’ Association warmly congratulates Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust on the outstanding success of the Coronation Fund which will ensure that the life-changing opportunity of being a chorister remains open to all, regardless of financial means.
