Exciting new era for choral music at Norwich Cathedral

Music has been at the heart of worship at Norwich Cathedral for centuries and today exciting opportunities are being announced to ensure the tradition of choral music continues long into the future and is open to all.

This new era of music will offer choral opportunities to boys and girls alike from the age of 6 to 18, increasing the range of opportunities available and ensuring the finest young voices can contribute to the Cathedral’s rich musical life.

From January 2024, younger girls will be able to audition alongside boys to join the Cathedral Choir and take up chorister scholarships at Norwich School. Until now, places for the Cathedral’s younger choristers have traditionally only been open to boys, although in 1995 the Cathedral was among the first to start a senior girls’ choir for 11 to 18-year-olds.

Additionally, there are now plans to create a new group of senior boy choristers, so that teenage boys also have the opportunity to sing at Norwich Cathedral. Both the senior boy and senior girl chorister groups will be open to young people from any school across Norfolk.

Young singers and their families can find out more about all these musical opportunities by contacting Norwich Cathedral’s music department via music@cathedral.org.uk

Primary School-aged children can also take part in a free Be A Chorister Day at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 18 November.

Ashley Grote, the Cathedral’s Master of Music, said: “This is a very exciting time for music at Norwich Cathedral. We are committed to delivering musical excellence, both in our worship and in the education we offer to young people in our city and county. Our aim is to provide unparalleled opportunities for talented girls and boys alike throughout their primary and secondary school years.”

These latest musical announcements come as Norwich Cathedral is preparing for celebrations in November to welcome back the Cathedral’s pipe organ following an ambitious once-in-a-generation project to rebuild the historic instrument so that future generations can continue to enjoy its music.

The Revd Canon Aidan Platten, Canon Precentor, who oversees worship at the Cathedral, said: “We continually keep our music and worship provision under review and the return of the rebuilt Cathedral organ is a good time to introduce a new musical landscape. I am delighted we will soon have more opportunities for boys and girls to sing in the context of our worship. We are also working on exciting plans to extend singing opportunities to children beyond the Cathedral itself."

The Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, Dean of Norwich, said: “For centuries a rich and evolving musical tradition has been at the heart of the spiritual life of Norwich Cathedral. We are delighted this musical excellence now enters a new phase with the return of the renewed Cathedral organ and forward-looking plans for the expansion of singing opportunities for younger girls and older boys. At the same time, the Cathedral will also be developing its partnerships to provide greater musical opportunities in the wider community. These are exciting developments as music remains central to the worship and mission of Norwich Cathedral.”

In the video below Ashley tells you about the opportunities for children to become choristers in the Norwich Cathedral Choir.

Steffan Griffiths, head master at Norwich School, said: “Norwich School is delighted to support the Cathedral’s decision to open chorister scholarships to girls and also to create a new group for senior boy choristers. There is no doubt that the world-class training provided in the Cathedral Choiris a glorious opportunity for those with rich musical potential; it offers skills that last for a lifetime.”

Be A Chorister Day on Saturday 18 November is open to all primary school-aged children. It is a chance for children to have fun singing with existing choristers and for parents to find out more. To book a place, click here or email Norwich School’s admissions office via admissions@norwich-school.org.uk

Parents of children wanting to join any of the Cathedral’s music opportunities in September 2024 can contact the Cathedral’s music department via music@cathedral.org.uk or 01603 218306 to register their interest.

Auditions for prospective choristers for September 2024 will take place at the Cathedral on Saturday 20 January 2024. They will be for boys and girls in school years 3 or 4 wanting to apply for a chorister scholarship at Norwich School. Enquiries are welcome at any time, but parents are advised to make an application to Norwich School by the school’s admissions deadline of Sunday 10 December 2023.

Auditions for senior girl and boy choristers will take place later in the academic year.

At audition, children will be asked to sing a song they enjoy and do some simple vocal and aural exercises. A love of music and a natural singing voice are the key things the music team are looking for and no previous choral experience is necessary.