Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music

Securing the future of music at Chichester Cathedral with the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music

For over 950 years, music has brought Chichester Cathedral to life, lifting prayers, moving hearts and connecting communities. Today, the Cathedral’s choir, free lunchtime concerts and Organ Scholar programme continue this living tradition, bringing music from across the centuries to thousands of worshippers and visitors each year.

With no regular government or Church of England funding, the Cathedral relies on the generosity of its supporters to sustain its music. The Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music was established to provide a lasting source of income and help secure the future of music at the Cathedral.

By making a gift, sponsoring a chorister or leaving a legacy, you can help keep music at the heart of worship and the life of Chichester Cathedral for generations to come.

Discover more about supporting music

A black and white photo of a woman smiling to camera

Fundraising Events

Our next event, An Evening with Rachel Portman: From film scores to choral music, on Saturday 21 November, offers a special opportunity to celebrate music and support its future at Chichester Cathedral.

Find out more

B&W photo of choristers singing in cathedral setting

Choristerships: support music and education

Sponsoring a chorister is a meaningful way to support both a child’s education and the preservation of Chichester Cathedral’s musical heritage.

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Making a Donation

To make a one-off donation

To make a single gift donation via cheque, bank transfer or card payment...

Giving Form CCPETM.docx

Or call us on 01243 812991 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm) to make a donation by credit card.

To make a regular donation

Regular gifts provide valuable, reliable income, helping us to plan ahead and support the long-term future of music at Chichester Cathedral.

Please complete this secure online form and press Submit at the end. Your completed form will be sent securely to our office, where we will process your regular donation with our bank.

By completing this form, you agree to giving a regular donation to the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust (Charity No. 1156729), restricted to the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music.

By making a regular or one-off donation or sponsoring a chorister, you are helping to safeguard Chichester Cathedral’s musical legacy for future generations. Your support ensures that music continues to be at the heart of the Cathedral, enriching lives and inspiring all who visit.

Download our Chichester Cathedral Music Brochure for more information

Good to know

Cost of music at the Cathedral

Maintaining the Cathedral’s musical excellence - from choir training, organ scholarships to free lunchtime concerts - requires significant investment. The annual cost (as of February 2026) of supporting music at the Cathedral is nearly £450,000, with almost half allocated to chorister scholarships.

Organ scholar, singing lessons & other music costs 2% | Choir welfare, travel & deputies 7% | Choir salaries, including Lay Vicars 43% | Scholarships for Choristers 48%

Experiencing music at Chichester Cathedral

The Chichester Cathedral Choir performs at Sunday services and daily Evensong during term time (except Wednesdays).

We also host free lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays during term time from 1.10pm to 2.00pm. Performers include our resident and visiting organists, as well as guest pianists, quartets and more.

In addition, the Cathedral welcomes visiting orchestras and choirs throughout the year for special public concerts.

Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music

The Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music (CCPETM) was established to secure the long-term future of music at Chichester Cathedral. Its initial £5 million fundraising target was achieved in 2026, providing a sustainable source of income towards the annual costs of maintaining the Cathedral’s choral and musical tradition.

The next phase aims to raise a further £4 million, taking the endowment to £9 million and strengthening its ability to support the Cathedral’s music for generations to come.

The fund is invested as capital, with the income generated providing vital ongoing support for the costs of music at Chichester Cathedral, particularly the choir’s singing at Sunday services and Evensong.

Outcome of our 950th anniversary Match Funding Appeal

In our 950th anniversary year (2025/26), we launched a Match Funding for Music appeal, through which every pound donated was doubled. The appeal concluded in March 2026. Click here to read about the appeal, the outcome and its significance as part of our wider music funding activity.

A Cathedral without music is like a body without a soul

Sir John Rutter, Vice-Patron