Music at St Peter’s 8-13

The department has an excellent academic record for pupils who opt for GCSE and A Level Music. Pupils also sit Associated Board and Trinity Guildhall examinations each term with the majority achieving merits or distinctions. Many pupils attain Grade 8 each year, with regular numbers going on to achieve either a DipABRSM or ATCL diploma.

Concerts and Services

We are fortunate to have our beautiful Chapel to use for our concerts and events. Music forms a large part of our morning Chapel services and we have an annual Advent Carol Service held jointly with St Peter’s 8-13. Our main Carol Service and Commemoration Service take place in York Minster, upholding the strong links and long history between the two institutions.

We run a regular series in the Music School with our annual Choral and Orchestral Concert at its heart. This concert brings together St Peter’s School Choir with the Choral Society: a choir for former pupils, parents, staff and friends of St Peter’s. Our regular internal concerts offer individual and ensemble performance opportunities throughout the academic year. Popular highlights are the Christmas Concerts and Summer Cabaret which showcase a wide range of our groups.

Tours and Trips

Touring is an integral part of our musical programme and provides the pupils with fantastic opportunities to perform to a wide range of audiences in some fabulous locations as well as connecting with the culture of other countries through educational visits.

Our tours alternate between European cities and New York with notable performances in Notre-Dame de Paris, St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Barcelona Cathedral and Saint Thomas Church New York City.

We also run visits to music museums as part of our academic programme and offer trips to external music events.

Concerts and services

Autumn Term Music Celebration Concert Christingle Service Christmas Performances

Autumn Term Christmas Concert Advent Carol Service (with 13-18) Carol Service Carols by Candlelight Virtualosity Spring Term Virtualosity Confirmation Service Whole Foundation Concert Informal Concerts

St Peter’s 2-8

Spring Term Young Voices Whole Foundation Concert Class Assemblies

Summer Term Music Celebration Concert End of Year Review

St Peter’s 8-13

Summer Term Summer Concert Virtualosity Informal Concerts

Autumn Term Autumn Concert Advent Carol Service (with 8-13) Christmas Concerts Carol Service in York Minster Spring Term Whole Foundation Concert Senior Music Festival Choral and Orchestral Concert

Summer Term Junior Music Festival Spring Concert Cabaret Concerts

St Peter’s 13-18

York Minster Choristers

In 2020, St Peter’s School became the Choir School for York Minster. We are responsible for educating York Minster’s girl and boy choristers, ensuring the continuance of a centuries-old choral tradition.

The shared heritage between St Peter’s School and York Minster can be traced back to the year 627 AD, when the School and the Minster were founded in the same year and on the same site by St Paulinus of York. Today, St Peter’s School is the second oldest choir school in England and the fourth oldest school in the world.

Choristers benefit from the rich opportunities presented by this shared heritage, including an outstanding education at St Peter’s School alongside the chance to sing in one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals each day. Choristers form part of a 1,000-year-old tradition of church music.

We are only a short walk away from York Minster, so the choristers can enjoy being members of York Minster Choir whilst taking full advantage of everything St Peter’s School has to offer.

Choristers also take part in recordings, live TV and radio broadcasts, and international tours. Life as a chorister is fun and inspiring, with each day bringing new adventures and opportunities. Choristers develop key skills, make friends for life, and discover a joy of music that will last a lifetime.

There are 40 girl and boy choristers at York Minster who collectively sing at eight services each week as part of the world-class York Minster Choir. Their daily routine is carefully scheduled to make sure that the choristers can take full advantage of the exciting opportunities offered both at St Peter’s School and York Minster.

A typical day in the life of a chorister includes a rehearsal before school starts, followed by a rehearsal and Choral Evensong after school. The boys and girls share these duties equally. At weekends there are four services at the Minster, which are also shared. Being a chorister is fun and rewarding and choristers become very efficient time managers.

How to Apply

A love of singing is the key to becoming a chorister. We are looking for boys and girls who enjoy making music, are enthusiastic about learning and will bring their own passions and personalities to St Peter’s School.

Entry Requirements

Choristers must live near enough for the extra duties of the choir to be practicable and typically join the choir between the ages of 8 and 9 and remain until the age of 13. All choristers are educated at St Peter’s School.

Assessments

All prospective choristers will be auditioned by Mr Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster. Formal singing experience is not required, but children need to be able to sing in tune, pitch notes and be interested in developing their musical talents.

Choristers will also sit an entrance exam for St Peter’s 8-13, which will include computer-based maths, English and reasoning tests, a creative writing paper and a group task. Submitting an Application

If you would like to apply to become a chorister at York Minster, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can apply by completing our online application form:

www.stpetersyork.org.uk/application-form

You will then receive further details about the admissions process, assessment dates and chorister auditions. If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Sara Bath on 01904 527391 or email s.bath@stpetersyork.org.uk

Tuition Fees

All choristers are educated at St Peter’s School and their fees are subsidised by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster. For all choristers, 60% of the school fee is paid by York Minster. Choristerships are open to all and additional means-tested funding is available to those who may not be able to afford the remaining 40% of the fee. Please contact our Admissions Officer Gillian Bland if you would like to know more: g.bland@stpetersyork.org.uk

Once choristers reach Third Form (Year 9) and leave the choir they will be able to apply for music scholarships and means-tested bursaries to ensure that they can continue their education at St Peter’s.