Chichester Cathedral Choir

Chichester Cathedral Choir is one of the most respected Cathedral choirs in the country, and is particularly noted for its wide-ranging liturgical repertoire, which forms the backbone of the daily offering of worship in the beautiful acoustic of the Cathedral.

The statutes at Chichester provide for eighteen trebles and six lay vicars. The lay vicars are all professional singers and live in or near the Cathedral Close. The choristers are educated at the Prebendal School where they start as 'Probationers' in Year 3 or 4 (age 8-9), and usually after one year they become full choristers. Chorister scholarships range from a minimum of 50% up to 100% of the school fees. Informal chorister auditions can be arranged throughout the year for any boys from age 7: no previous singing experience is necessary.

As well as their singing, choristers learn the piano and an orchestral instrument, and take part in ensembles and music-making of all kinds in the thriving music department at the Prebendal School.
Most choristers win major music scholarships to secondary school.

In the past year, Chichester Cathedral Choir has given concerts in the Chichester Festivities, and the Southern Cathedrals Festival in Salisbury. The 75th anniversary of Holst's death was celebrated with a weekend of concerts and services, during which the Choir performed with the Band of HM Royal Marines and recorded the CD Holst in Chichester featuring works by Holst, Stanford, Vaughan Williams and Parry. The new CD Carols from Chichester Cathedral is also available in Cloisters Shop (01243 813599)

In March the Choir toured Berlin, and Chichester Cathedral will host the Southern Cathedrals Festival in July, which will include a performance of Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and a celebration of the music of S.S. Wesley.