Chorister Parents’ Handbook
1. Introduction & Welcome
Welcome to this Handbook for parents of choristers in Ely Cathedral Choir. This document is designed to give a general overview of the way in which the choir works, and to answer many of the questions you may have about your child’s choristership. Whether you are a new parent or already have long experience of the choir, we encourage you to take some time to read its contents, and we hope you find it helpful.
We are very grateful to you for the enormous commitment you and your children make to the choir. Nothing is more important to us than the welfare of your child and our priority at all times is to ensure that they are happy and thrive in their time as choristers. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the cathedral musicians if you have questions or concerns about any aspect of chorister life.
Edmund Aldhouse
Director of Music
01353 660336
edmund.aldhouse@elycathedral.org
Sarah MacDonald
Director of the Girl Choristers
01353 660586
sarah.macdonald@elycathedral.org
2. About Ely Cathedral Choir
There has been a choir at Ely for over one thousand years: the Cathedral Choir can be said with certainty to have existed since the Reformation, but music and singing were present in the earliest days of the monastic foundation, as told in the famous story of King Canute on a Candlemas pilgrimage to Ely in the eleventh century:
Merie sungen ðe muneches binnen Ely
Merrily sang the monks in Ely, ða Cnut ching reu ðer by.
When Canute the king rowed by. “Roweþ cnites noer the lant
“Row, men, nearer to the land, and here we þes muneches sæng.”
And let us hear the monks’ song.”
Your child is therefore part of a tradition which stretches back for many centuries. The girl choristers are a more recent arrival (they were formed in 2006) but they now play a full and equal part of this extraordinary lineage. Our principal task is to sing the daily services in the cathedral, just as the monks and nuns did from the time it was founded as a monastic institution in the seventh century. The daily services are known in Latin as the Opus Dei (‘Work of God’) and lie at the heart of what we do.
The Choral Foundation at Ely allows for a total of twenty-four each of boy and girl choristers. It also includes the six Lay Clerks (the professional adults of the choir), Sixth Form Choral and Organ Scholars, and the various musicians who direct and accompany the choir.
Ely Cathedral has a clear mission statement which all staff and volunteers embrace in their work:
“Joyfully proclaiming the love of God in worship, outreach, welcome and care.”
3. Who’s Who
Music Staff and Chaperones
Edmund Aldhouse
01353 660336 (Director of Music) edmund.aldhouse@elycathedral.org
Jeremy Lloyd
01353 660311 (Assistant Director of Music) jeremy.lloyd@elycathedral.org
Sarah MacDonald
01353 660586 (Director of the Girl Choristers) sarah.macdonald@elycathedral.org
Stanley Godfrey
01353 660586 (Graduate Organ Scholar) stanley.godfrey@elycathedral.org
Chorister Chaperones
Jonathan Midgley
Alison Shiers
Sally Diss
Agnes Lanser
Anne Mizen
Cathedral Staff
The Very Revd Mark Bonney (Dean) mark.bonney@elycathedral.org
Revd Dr Jim Garrard (Precentor) james.garrard@elycathedral.org (The Precentor is the member of Chapter with particular responsibility for music)
Revd James Reveley (Canon) james.reveley@elycathedral.org
Revd Dr Jessica Martin (Canon) jessica.martin@elycathedral.org
School Staff
John Attwater (Principal, King’s Ely) principal@kingsely.org
Simon Kibler (Head, Prep School) simonkibler@kingsely.org
Jon Shaw (Head, Senior School) jonathanshaw@kingsely.org
Revd Dr Ros Lane (School Chaplain) roslane@kingsely.org
Chorister House/Pastoral Staff
Loveday Perceval-Maxwell
07393 014503 (HsM, Walsingham House) lovedaypercevalmaxwell@kingsely.org
Lucy Shute
01353 660767 (Matron, Walsingham House) lucyshute@kingsely.org
Nikki Hughes
07446 102306 (HsM, Priory House) Nikkihughes@kingsely.org
Jude Yazicilar
07551 157509 (Assistant HsM, Priory House) judithyazicilar@kingsely.org
Melanie Hughes
07468 860846 (HsM, Etheldreda House) melaniehughes@kingsely.org
Melanie Moss
01353 660509 (Matron, Etheldreda House) melaniemoss@kingsely.org
4. Safeguarding
The safety and welfare of the choristers is a fundamental priority for the cathedral and the school. Full details of the policies and procedures we operate to keep the choristers safe and happy can be found in the Cathedral’s Safeguarding Handbook. A dedicated choir chaperone is present at all rehearsals and services involving the choristers. This person looks after them if they are ill or need to go the toilet and helps to oversee their general welfare.
All choristers are regularly made aware of what to do if they are worried about anything. Parents should not hesitate to raise any concern, however small, with any of the people listed in “Who’s Who”, or the dedicated safeguarding contacts below:
Canon James Reveley (Clergy)
01353 660702
Chapter Safeguarding Lead james.reveley@elycathedral.org
Lisa Pearson 07990 581267
Cathedral Safeguarding Adviser (independent of Cathedral) lisa.pearson@elydiocese.org
Rebecca Boswell 07904 487912
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (independent of Cathedral) rebecca.boswell@elydiocese.org
Sarah King 07776 661798
Safeguarding Training and Parish Support Co-ordinator sarah.king@elydiocese.org
Sharon Gage 07507 741295
Diocesan Assistant Safeguarding Adviser (independent of Cathedral) sharon.gage@elydiocese.org
Health & Wellbeing Centre 01353 662225 Lead Nurse
Lucy Taylor-Dixon
LucyTaylor-Dixon@kingsely.org Lead Counsellor
ChildLine
NSPCC
OFSTED
Children’s Commissioner
Local Authority
0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk
0800 800 5000 (if you are worried about a child)
08456 404040
0800 528 0731
0345 045 5203 (during office hours)
01733 234 724 (outside of office hours)
5. Mentoring & Choristers’ Handbook
If you are the parent of a chorister who has just joined the choir, you (and your child) will probably have lots of questions about many aspects of chorister life. We know that it can seem quite daunting at first, and so we aim to provide as much help and guidance as we can. Please don’t hesitate to ask us.
One valuable source of advice and guidance is, of course, parents of existing choristers. Where feasible, we aim to match up each new chorister family with a mentor family, who will be ready to answer questions based on their own experience. An equivalent handbook to this exists for the choristers themselves. Written in child-friendly language, it aims to explain what they can expect in the choir and what we expect of them. We encourage you to read and discuss it with your child.
6. Communication
Most day-to-day communication is electronic, via email, including weekly circulars from the choir directors. There are parents’/carers’ meetings for each set of choristers once per term, attended by the cathedral music staff, the Canon Precentor, relevant pastoral staff, and the Head of King’s Ely Prep. These meetings provide a forum for discussion of the choir schedule and activities. Safeguarding is also a standing agenda item.
The Parent Liaison Group (a joint body for all chorister parents) meets from time to time. It is a forum to which you can submit questions and concerns anonymously, with responses given in written minutes which are circulated shortly after the meeting. The group is composed of parent representatives, the Head of King’s Ely Prep, the relevant pastoral staff, the choir directors, the Assistant Director of Music, and the Precentor.
The choir directors and the Precentor are always happy to be contacted by telephone or email, and to see parents and choristers about any individual concerns at a mutually convenient time. The choristers’ wellbeing is our top priority, and we are never too busy for them or their parents. We would rather hear about any concerns or worries straight away, and we will take care to involve all those who are responsible for the choristers’ happiness and welfare in addressing these.
7. Rehearsal & Service Schedule
We warmly encourage you to attend services or concerts in which the choristers are involved. It is usually better if you avoid sitting too obviously in view of your child, especially when they are singing a solo!
The choristers’ routine largely follows an alternating, two-week pattern, as set out below. The singing programme also includes at least one ‘plain’ (i.e., non-singing) day each week per set of choristers—this is normally a Wednesday. The first Tuesday of every month is usually a joint service for all choristers (or occasionally for Years 6-9 only, while probationers and younger choristers rehearse).
There are many extra events such as special services, recordings, broadcasts, and concerts. The choristers will sometimes sing both services on a Sunday at major festivals and commemorations (e.g., Remembrance Sunday, Candlemas, Etheldreda Day). A list of dates for the whole year is distributed before each new academic year. We endeavour to change as little as possible once a dates list has been published, but any unavoidable alterations are indicated to parents well in advance.
There are three rehearsal spaces in regular use by the cathedral choir. The exact locations of each rehearsal will be communicated in good time. Morning rehearsals are usually separate for girls and boys.
J19 – located in the Prep School Song School – located in the cathedral Undercroft – located in Etheldreda House
Existing chorister parents please note that the rehearsal schedules for both sets of choristers, including timings, is now as close to identical as possible. The schedule given here represents a typical week, but there are often exceptions. These will be set out clearly in communication from the choir directors.
Monday
0800-0855 Morning rehearsal From 0900 School 1655 Girls rehearse 1730 Evensong (Girls/Lay Clerks)
Normally no after school commitments for boys on Mondays.
Tuesday Week 1
0800-0855
Morning rehearsal
Tuesday Week 2
0800-0855
Morning rehearsal From 0900 School From 0900 School
1645-1745 Boys rehearse (KEPrep) 1645-1745 Girls (Y4-9) rehearse (KEPrep) 1655 Girls (Y4-9) rehearse 1655 Boys rehearse 1730
Evensong (Girls Y4-9) 1730
Evensong (Boys)
Wednesday
Normally no chorister commitments on Wednesdays.
Thursday
0800-0855
Morning rehearsal (NB Girls in Years 9-11 leave early to attend PSHE) From 0900 School 1655 Boys rehearse 1730
Evensong (Boys/Lay Clerks)
Normally no after school commitments for girls on Thursdays.
Friday Week 1
0800-0855
Morning rehearsal
Friday Week 2
0800-0855
Morning rehearsal From 0900 School From 0900 School 1645 Boys rehearse 1645 Girls rehearse 1730
Evensong (Boys/Lay Clerks) 1730
Evensong (Girls/Lay Clerks)
Saturday Week 1
1545
Saturday Week 2
Girls rehearse 1545 Boys rehearse 1730
Evensong (Girls/Lay Clerks) 1730
Sunday Week 1
Evensong (Boys/Lay Clerks)
Sunday Week 2
0915 Girls rehearse 0915 Boys rehearse 1030
Eucharist (Girls/Lay Clerks) 1030
Eucharist (Boys/Lay Clerks) 1430 Boys rehearse 1430
Girls rehearse 1600
Evensong (Boys/Lay Clerks) 1600
Evensong (Girls/Lay Clerks)
8. Punctuality & Discipline
It is especially crucial that you make every effort to ensure that your child is punctual for all choir commitments when they are arriving from home. Lateness causes disruption to rehearsals and can affect a chorister’s progress in the choir. Day choristers are asked to arrive at least five minutes before the start of a commitment.
If you are unavoidably delayed (e.g., tractors on the A10!) either when dropping off or collecting your child, please let the house staff and the relevant choir director know. When parents or carers are unavoidably delayed for collection, day choristers may join the boarding choristers in the Monastic Barn or in the relevant House until they can be collected.
Cathedral choirs are widely admired as much for their discipline as for their music. These two features are inherently linked to each other: it is only possible to achieve the highest musical standards in an environment characterised by self-discipline and a strong work-ethic. The standards expected of the choristers are the same standards that are required of their adult singing counterparts, the Lay Clerks. On a musical level, the choristers are treated as much as possible like adults. At the same time there must be plenty of scope for fun in music making of any kind, and we recognise that choristers of all ages will only give of their best if they are enjoying what they are doing.
We impress upon them that whenever they appear as a group they can be recognised as cathedral choristers. They are therefore ‘on show’ and ambassadors for both cathedral and school. Choristers should be in school uniform whenever they are on duty in the cathedral (sometimes during the week games kit is acceptable). Their training will build confidence and encourage a sense of achievement. Above all, we want the choristers to be proud of the important position they hold and the ancient tradition that they represent and continue. You can help with this training by encouraging your children to take care of how they look and present themselves, both in services and at other times when they are in public view as choristers.
9. Absences
The only normal reason for absence of a chorister from their daily commitment is illness. If a child is in school but, for health reasons, unable to sing (e.g., laryngitis), we will expect them to attend rehearsals and possibly services to absorb what is being prepared. Much of the repertoire sung by the choristers comes around again (either within the same year, or regularly between years), and this familiarisation is a key part of choristership. If a child is not in school then, of course, we will not expect their attendance for chorister duties.
If you wish to make a request for your child to be absent in other circumstances (for example Holy Days for other faith communities) you should do so in writing, as far in advance as you can, to the relevant choir director and the Head of King’s Ely Prep. We consider all requests carefully, aiming to be fair to all families, while remembering the importance of the chorister commitment.
We will always respond immediately and sympathetically to emergency situations such as family bereavements.
10. School Holidays
A dates list for the year ahead is disseminated in advance of each academic year. It is very important indeed that you look carefully at this list, transfer the dates to your diaries, and organise family holidays around the choir schedule. Choir and school term dates basically coincide, but there are ‘stayovers’ (see section 11) at Christmas and Easter, regular tours for both sets of choristers, and occasionally other small differences. In particular, it is normal for the choristers to sing on one of the Sundays which fall at the end of half-term periods.
It is vital during choir holidays that the choristers get a good rest. This is especially important during the shorter half-term breaks when late nights are counterproductive. During the longer holidays, we ask you to ensure that your child looks after their voice, in particular avoiding too much shouting!
11. Stayovers
Any seasoned chorister will probably agree that stayovers are the best time of year. They involve a carefully balanced mixture of singing, activities, and outings. Stayovers normally include four nights before Christmas and Easter Day. All choristers are expected to board for the duration of each stayover. The immersion in the communal life of the choir, including living together, is a crucial team-building exercise as well as providing good preparation for international tours.
All installed choristers are expected to attend in full both the Christmas and Easter stayovers, and any other duties falling outside school term, as stipulated in the Terms and Conditions of Choristership. At the choir directors’ discretion, probationers may also be invited to participate in some or all of the stayover activities, depending on their progress.
Parents and siblings are obviously very welcome at all the services and concerts, but in addition there is a tradition of coming together at lunchtime on both Christmas and Easter Day.
12. Development & Progression
New choristers start in the choir as probationers. If they begin in Year 3, they follow a very light schedule; in Year 4 or above they have more duties, gradually building up to the full chorister schedule, which normally takes effect towards the middle or end of Year 4.
All probationers follow a carefully devised programme of training which covers all the skills they need to learn. We provide new parents with full information about the schedule their children will be following, and cathedral and school staff liaise closely with parents and with each other to ease probationers gradually into the full chorister workload.
When it is clear that a probationer has a basic understanding of what they need to do in terms of musical and liturgical awareness, behaviour and attitude, they receive their surplice, the white garment worn over a red cassock. This is the first important rite of passage in a chorister’s career.
When those same skills have developed further, there is a formal installation ceremony in the cathedral, usually at one of the Sunday services. The Dean admits the choristers to the foundation and presents them with a foundation medallion. This is a very important moment for a chorister! Installations take place only once or twice a year. When there is a large intake of new choristers it is quite normal that some will be admitted earlier in the year than others (some choristers inevitably arrive with more experience than others).
As choristers progress through their time in the choir, they are expected to act as role models for the younger probationers and choristers. In particular, choristers in their final year (currently Year 8 for the boys, and Year 11 for the girls, although this will change over the coming years) wear a blue ribbon to indicate their seniority in the choir. This is a sign of the responsibility that they hold to provide leadership skills, both musically and behaviourally.
Departing choristers are formally thanked for their work with a farewell from the Dean at their final service in the Summer Term. They are then invited to join the Ely Cathedral Choristers’ Society, which organises events for all those who have sung in the cathedral choir, including an annual reunion.
13. The Christian Faith
Every chorister is free to make their own decisions about exploring the Christian faith as part of the chorister journey. We provide many ways for them to do this, including opportunities to be baptised and confirmed in the Anglican Church. We are also delighted to affirm the many and varied traditions from which choristers come.
Nonetheless, part of being a chorister is leading the congregation in worship both spoken and sung. During a chorister’s probationership, there will be opportunities for them to familiarise themselves with the various sung and spoken parts of the liturgy and what it all means. Preparation for baptism and confirmation (voluntary, of course) is undertaken in conjunction with the school chaplaincy. Usually, the choristers sing for the school confirmation service, and it is a joy to support chorister peers on this journey.
We hope too that parents and other members of the family feel a warm welcome to worship. The cathedral also provides opportunities for adult faith formation (including baptism and confirmation) and deeper involvement in and knowledge of the Christian faith throughout the year.
14. Musicianship
Choristership is about more than singing: our aim is to help your child to become a fully rounded musician, and consistent work on theory, instrumental practice, and general musicianship are vital in their musical development. Your help in this area makes a real difference. Encouraging them to practise daily (at least 20 minutes per instrument) and to continue their theory work at home, especially for day pupils, is greatly appreciated.
All choristers are required to learn at least one instrument (piano or orchestral), to have individual singing tuition, and to study music theory. Through their daily singing tasks, they learn much about how to practise efficiently, and they can make good use of this knowledge in their instrumental work.
Singing lessons with expert tutors are included in the choristership. Teachers will focus on all aspects of a child’s vocal development, including but not limited to:
• Supporting their work in the choir
• Teaching proper healthy vocal technique
• Monitoring the voice and helping to keep it in good health
• Helping with sight reading and solo preparation
• Teaching performance technique
• Developing the chorister as a musician and performer
• Preparing for scholarships and singing exams, where appropriate
15. Solos
The choir directors endeavour to ensure that opportunities for solos are carefully distributed. Inevitably, older and more experienced choristers will undertake more of the solo work, but we strive to give every chorister some solo experience from early on in their chorister career, as soon as they are ready for it.
Singing solos helps to build up a chorister’s confidence and performance skills. 95% of the time solos go beautifully! But, if a solo doesn’t go as planned, it really doesn’t matter. There is no musical experience from which you cannot learn something useful, and the soloist will always be complimented for the good things about their singing.
It is important to remember that some choristers are natural soloists, while others are not. Factors which are considered in allocating solos include the strength and range of the voice, confidence in rhythm and pitching, and accuracy in finding first notes. Many of the finest choristers here and elsewhere have not been prolific soloists but have used their musical gifts to make a great contribution to the choral sound.
In the case of the boy choristers, a solo list is drawn up and circulated, normally at the start of each month, and parents are always included. This is also displayed in the Song School so that the boys know who is singing which solo. For the girl choristers, the director allocates some solos on shorter notice, and more substantial ones in advance in consultation with the singing teachers.
Sometimes, we need to re-allocate previously announced solos. The most obvious reason for this is if a chorister is unwell, but it may sometimes be that the soloist finds the music more challenging than expected. In these circumstances, we try to balance a desire to give choristers experience with the need to ensure that they are not placed under excessive pressure and are allowed to give of their best.
16. Rewards & Sanctions
Generations of experience show that our choristers have an excellent sense of self-discipline and a real understanding of how important their task is. They receive frequent praise for hard work in rehearsals and services, and we are careful to recognise strong individual contributions whenever possible. Prizes are awarded each term, or in some cases annually, in recognition of particular achievements (see section 20).
Of course, things will go wrong from time to time, and our aim is to ensure that choristers understand quickly when their attainment or behaviour could be improved and how best they can do this. It is almost always the case that a word from a member of the music staff is sufficient to achieve this quickly and in partnership with the chorister(s) concerned.
Occasionally more complex problems occur, and these will typically be dealt with on a case-bycase basis and in consultation with the parents. Very rarely, a situation may occur where, despite a warning, a chorister continues to behave in a way which disrupts the work of the choir. In these circumstances, they may be asked to leave a rehearsal temporarily for a “time out”. We will always inform parents in such cases and work to find a positive way forward.
17. Balance & Extra-Curriculars
Choristers are very busy people, and the combination of singing, schoolwork, instrumental practice, and other extra-curricular activities can mean that at times they may feel overloaded. The school and cathedral staff take great care to control this element of pressure: we liaise daily and plan schedules carefully to ensure enough downtime for the choristers.
Although the choristers already lead a very full life, it is natural that they want to take part in other activities as well, particularly sport. We have negotiated carefully to remove regular chorister commitments from Wednesdays, from Michaelmas Term 2024, in order to allow the girls the same access to matches as the boys have always had. We say ‘yes’ as often as possible and there is regular liaison between cathedral and school staff to ensure fairness and to check the capacity of each individual to take on extra commitments.
One compromise which must be understood is that choristers in KEPrep may not usually take part in school musicals/drama productions. This is partly due to the fact that rehearsal and performance times often conflict with chorister duties, but it is also important for the choristers to rest their voices on days that they are not singing. There is flexibility for KES choristers to participate in school productions, especially where there is a direct academic benefit to GCSE Drama or English.
In the end, while we aim to be as flexible as possible with other activities, there are inevitably times when the chorister commitment must come first, and we ask you to respect the professional judgement of staff in these circumstances.
18. Tours
Foreign and domestic tours are an important part of the choir’s work. We aim to ensure that any chorister who sings a full five-year term will tour at least once.
Why do we go on tour? In a nutshell, the main reason is that tours are part of the cathedral’s broader mission. Because we are used ourselves to the English Choral Tradition, it is easy to forget that it is viewed as a miracle in many other parts of the world. Tours also have a hugely beneficial effect on the morale and the standard of singing of the choir itself.
The destination, length, itinerary, and personnel for each tour are determined by the choir directors with oversight from both the cathedral and the school.
A fundamental principle of our touring programme is that parents should not have to pay for their children to participate, as tours are professional engagements just like services and concerts in the cathedral. Touring is therefore only possible through significant fundraising, and we have been lucky that generations of parents and other supporters have contributed to this through the work of the two choir tour funds (one for each set of choristers). We warmly encourage all parents to become involved, but there is no expectation or obligation to do so.
Full details of each tour are circulated as soon as practicable to the chorister parents, and a meeting is held before each tour takes place. The cathedral has a specific Tour Policy, as well as following applicable King’s Ely policies for trips and tours.
19. Trophies & Prizes
Bush Award and Melody Day Prizes
The Bush Award is presented annually to a boy, and the Melody Day Prize to a girl, by the Ely Cathedral Choristers’ Society. They are book prizes, and are presented at Evensong.
Hankey Award
The Hankey Award is presented annually to a chorister by the Friends of Ely Cathedral. It is a book token prize, and it is presented at the AGM of the Friends.
Humphries Cup
This cup is presented each term to a chorister who has consistently demonstrated good conduct or work as the term proceeds.
Lawrence Trophies
These were donated by Mr and Mrs Sam Lawrence in 2003. The small one is presented each term to the chorister who has the best record for solo singing that term. At the end of the year a larger trophy is also presented to the chorister who has the best solo record covering the entire year.
Junior Progress Award
An anonymously donated award made at the end of each term to a younger chorister. A small amount of cash is awarded.
Director of Music’s Prize and Director of the Girl Choristers’ Prize
These cash prizes are awarded to the choristers who have made a special impression on the life of the choir. Since 2003 the boys’ prize has been coupled with a trophy kindly donated by a former Chapter Steward, Mr Phillip Peacock.
The Perceval-Maxwell Tankard and Perceval-Maxwell Cup
The Perceval-Maxwell Tankard (boys) and Perceval-Maxwell Cup (girls) are awarded annually to choristers in Y5 to Y7 in conjunction with KEPrep, for excellent contribution to chorister and school life.
20. Voice Change
We hope that boys will sing until the end of Year 8, but boys’ voices sometimes begin to change earlier than that. We are very lucky to have many people who care about and understand boys’ voices, and our priority is always to act in the best interests of your son’s happiness and welfare. When it appears that a voice is changing, we will consult you and agree on the best way forward.
Girls’ voices also change, usually in Year 9 or 10. Unlike boys, girls can continue to sing treble through this transition, but they do need to be aware of how it will affect their singing on a daily basis. Their range will vary from day to day, and, on occasion, it may feel uncomfortable to sing in their usual register. At all times, girls at this stage are reminded to be patient and to take care to sing in a healthy and relaxed way. The singing teachers in KES are very experienced at helping the girls navigate these changes.
21. KES Choristers & Girls’ Age Range
As we gradually reduce the ages of the girl choristers over the coming four years, we will continue to have girl choristers who are pupils at King’s Ely Senior in Years 9-11. As the most senior members of the choir, they have to balance their heightened academic commitments with their cathedral duties, whilst also remaining role models for the younger choristers. To this end, a number of accommodations are made to their schedules:
• Choristers in Year 11 have no duties (rehearsals or services) on Tuesdays. This is extended to choristers in Year 10 after the Michaelmas half-term.
• Choristers in Year 11 are fully excused from all cathedral duties (‘Choir Leave’) during mock GCSE examinations in January and for the whole of the Summer Term. For the intervening period, they sing two services per week on a rota basis. They return for the leavers’ service at the end of the Summer Term.
Choristers in the Senior School are asked to keep in close contact with the Director of the Girl Choristers about academic commitments, so that further accommodations can be made on an individual basis if required.
For ease of reference, the completion year of girl choristers is as follows, with “Current Year” indicating the academic year 2024-25:
KES
Current Year 11 are in their final year as choristers (they will leave in the summer of 2025).
Current Year 10 will leave in the summer of 2026 (the end of Y11).
Current Year 9 will leave in the summer of 2027 (the end of Y11).
KEP
Current Year 8 will continue as choristers until the end of Y11 (summer 2028).
Current Year 7 will continue as choristers until the end of Y10 (summer 2028).
Current Year 6 will continue as choristers until the end of Y9 (summer 2028).
Current Year 5 will continue as choristers until the end of Y9 (summer 2029).
Current Year 4 will continue as choristers until the end of Y8 (summer 2029).
Thereafter, all girl choristers will be in KEPrep, with Junior Probationers in Year 3, and completing the choristership at the end of Year 8. The final move to full parity with the boys will be complete.
22. What Happens Next?
Choristers normally continue their education at King’s Ely Senior after leaving the choir. All former choristers are offered a substantial fee remission in KES, subject to their continuing to make a significant contribution to school music. We also offer Sixth Form Choral Scholarships in the Cathedral Choir. Holders of this prestigious award typically sing once or twice a week, gaining experience which will equip them well for singing at university or music college. Interviews and auditions for these scholarships take place in the Lent Term of Year 11. It is sometimes the case that choristers go on to schools other than King’s Ely Senior, despite the availability of excellent bursaries here. We ask you to make every effort to ensure that any visit to other schools falls outside the choir’s schedules.
23. And Finally
Choristership is one of the greatest experiences and training that a child can have, and we are so excited to be working with you and your children. Thank you for your support in our work, and we are sure that you will love the journey!
