Chichester Cathedral receives £17,000 grant to support vocal health and training for its choir

Chichester Cathedral is pleased to announce that it has received a £17,000 grant over two years from the Cathedral Music Trust to fund a Vocal Health and Coaching Programme for its choristers and lay vicars.

The Cathedral choir, comprising of 19 choristers aged 8 to 13 and six adult lay vicars, plays a vital role in the Cathedral’s worship and musical life. Choristers dedicate around 18 hours each week to rehearsals, services and training alongside their school studies, while the lay vicars balance singing with professional or academic work.

This new programme will provide structured, expert-led vocal training to support the development and well-being of the choir’s singers. Key elements include:

One-to-one coaching for lay vicars, with quarterly sessions led by a specialist in choral technique and voice care.
Additional vocal support for choristers, with twice-termly 30-minute lessons tailored to individual needs and vocal development.
An annual group workshop, focusing on technique, breath control and performance preparation for the full choir.

“This grant allows us to provide vital vocal support to our lay vicars and choristers,” said Charles Harrison, Organist and Master of the Choristers. “By supporting both our adult and young singers, we’re ensuring they have the tools, care and confidence that will help their voices remain healthy and resilient for years to come.”

The full Cathedral Choir pose, lined up in three rows, in front of the historic stone-arched Arundel Screen. The Choir wear red and white cassocks, with Choristers stood at the front and Lay Vicars at the back.

This funding forms part of a wider £470,000 investment by the Cathedral Music Trust in 2025, supporting music departments across 27 cathedrals and churches, including ours, to continue providing valuable training and development opportunities that nurture cathedral music traditions and engage communities nationwide.

This grant complements Chichester Cathedral’s broader mission to secure the future of its music. Through the Platinum Endowment Trust for Music, the Cathedral aims to raise £5 million by 2026 to support its music activity which includes scholarships, commissions and free public concerts. With a match-funding campaign currently underway, every donation is being doubled - making this a crucial moment for supporters to help shape the future of Cathedral music.

Every note matters - and now, every voice is stronger for it.