Gloucester Cathedral and The King's School announce landmark plans for Girl Choristers

Gloucester Cathedral and The King’s School, Gloucester are set to make history by offering choral scholarships to girls for the first time.

For 478 years boy choristers have been educated exclusively at King’s, with each boy receiving a choral scholarship towards their school fees. This development is a significant step in the Cathedral’s rich choral history and will ensure equal opportunity for both girls and boys.

The Girl Choristers were established in 2016 and have played an important part in Cathedral worship, singing weekly at Evensong and contributing to other services across the year. Gloucester Cathedral Choir is rightly regarded as one of the best in the country and these new arrangements will strengthen and enhance its reputation.

From 2021, all 16 Girl Choristers will be offered a choral scholarship by the School and the Cathedral. Additional bursary support may also be available. Chorister duties will be shared equally between boys and girls, ensuring both play a full role in the musical life of the Cathedral.

Singing audition dates for aspiring choristers have been set for Wednesday 26 February 2020 (girls) and Friday 28 February 2020 (boys). The Cathedral and the King’s School will also hold a “Chorister Experience” Open Day on Saturday 26 September 2020 to which all are welcome.

The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with The King’s School to achieve equality. The Girl Choristers have been a huge success and we are determined to offer the girls the same opportunities the boys have enjoyed for hundreds of years.

Our ambition is to ensure that talented girls and boys from a wide range of backgrounds can access the world-class choral training we provide at the Cathedral, as well as the outstanding, rounded education that King’s has to offer”.

The Headmaster of The King’s School, David Morton, said:

“I am delighted to join the Dean and Chapter in announcing a historic new partnership between the School and Cathedral.

 2019 sees the celebration of 50 years of co-education at King’s, so it is fitting that we will this year announce total equality of opportunity for both boys and girls in the Cathedral Choir. King’s has always been rooted at the heart of the City of Gloucester and it is my aim to ensure that more children than ever before from the local area are able to access a King’s education.

The new scholarships and bursaries will mean that gifted young singers from the local area will be able to join King’s and make the most of the opportunities that the school presents to its pupils.”

Notes
Chorister Voice Trials – 26 and 28 February 2020

Girl Chorister voice trials are set for Wednesday 26 February 2020 with Boys Chorister trials on Friday 28 February 2020. Children from year five onwards are welcome to apply, please contact the Cathedral Music Manager: [email protected] / 01452 508212 to find out more.

Chorister Experience Day – 26 September 2020

This Open Day will give interested children and their parents the opportunity to experience life as a Chorister. To register your interest, please contact the Cathedral Music Manager: [email protected] / 01452 508212