Experiencing Chorister life: Wells Cathedral welcomes aspiring Choristers for ‘an afternoon in the life’
On Saturday 16 September, Wells Cathedral hosted a fabulous, free, ‘behind the scenes’ afternoon, during which children were able to experience the life of a Cathedral Chorister.
Thirty girls and boys aged between six and nine came from schools across Somerset and beyond for the annual Be a Chorister for a Day event where they met the Cathedral Choristers and participated in engaging and fun singing workshops.
The afternoon culminated in singing Choral Evensong in the Quire of the Cathedral with the world-renowned Choir. The children performed the anthem Litany to the Holy Spirit by Peter Hurford, helped the Choir lead the two hymns in the service, and learned how to process, too.
Alexander Hamilton, the Cathedral’s Acting Director of Music, commented; “Our Cathedral Choristers are a wonderful team of young musicians who give so much to the musical life of Wells Cathedral, singing throughout the year to many thousands of worshippers and visitors. Every year, we welcome a new cohort of Choristers to begin their musical journey in the Choir, and our Be a Chorister for a Day event is a vital part of searching for the next generation of children to be a part of the unique way of life which choristership offers. It was wonderful to make music and share the Chorister experience with so many enthusiastic children on Saturday, and have fun along the way, too! I hope that, for some, it will be just the beginning of an exciting road ahead as a Chorister here in Wells.“
If you are interested in the 2024 Be a Chorister for a Day event, please contact the Cathedral via [email protected]. If you can’t wait that long, you may like to join Wells Cathedral Song Squad, the Cathedral’s un-auditioned choir for children aged 7-13, or Wells Cathedral Song Squad Minis, for children aged 4-6, both of which meet on Tuesday afternoons during Term time. For further details please e-mail [email protected].
Thirty girls and boys aged between six and nine came from schools across Somerset and beyond for the annual Be a Chorister for a Day event where they met the Cathedral Choristers and participated in engaging and fun singing workshops.
The afternoon culminated in singing Choral Evensong in the Quire of the Cathedral with the world-renowned Choir. The children performed the anthem Litany to the Holy Spirit by Peter Hurford, helped the Choir lead the two hymns in the service, and learned how to process, too.
Alexander Hamilton, the Cathedral’s Acting Director of Music, commented; “Our Cathedral Choristers are a wonderful team of young musicians who give so much to the musical life of Wells Cathedral, singing throughout the year to many thousands of worshippers and visitors. Every year, we welcome a new cohort of Choristers to begin their musical journey in the Choir, and our Be a Chorister for a Day event is a vital part of searching for the next generation of children to be a part of the unique way of life which choristership offers. It was wonderful to make music and share the Chorister experience with so many enthusiastic children on Saturday, and have fun along the way, too! I hope that, for some, it will be just the beginning of an exciting road ahead as a Chorister here in Wells.“
If you are interested in the 2024 Be a Chorister for a Day event, please contact the Cathedral via [email protected]. If you can’t wait that long, you may like to join Wells Cathedral Song Squad, the Cathedral’s un-auditioned choir for children aged 7-13, or Wells Cathedral Song Squad Minis, for children aged 4-6, both of which meet on Tuesday afternoons during Term time. For further details please e-mail [email protected].
