|
York Minster has one of the UK’s leading cathedral choirs; its mastery of the English choral tradition is one of the cathedral’s crowning glories. It includes adult Songmen, choral scholars and boy and girl choristers aged between 7 and 13 who are educated at St Peter’s School York, the Choir School for York Minster. The cathedral was among the first to introduce girl choristers, who share the singing equally with the boys at eight sung services each week during term time.
York Minster’s choristers receive an excellent education at St Peter’s School. The Chapter of York provides a bursary for each chorister worth 60% of their school fees with means-tested funding potentially increasing the level of funding to 100%. Competition for places in the choir is high but the rewards are substantial. Choristers have the opportunity to sing in one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals each day, as well as taking part in recordings, live TV and radio broadcasts and international tours.
The choir has seven Songmen who are paid, professional singers committed to maintaining and developing musical standards at the cathedral. The five Choral Scholars are paid student singers who gain experience in church music, working alongside professional musicians.
Deputy singers substitute on an occasional basis for the permanent Songmen and Choral Scholars.
The choir has made a number of acclaimed recordings which are available to buy from the York Minster Shop. |
