Chorister Handbook
Welcome and Introduction
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you are a Chorister at Wells Cathedral - congratulations!
What you do every day is incredibly important and special. There have been Choristers at Wells since the Cathedral School was founded in the year 909 - think how many there must have been since then! For over 1100 years, there have been boy Choristers singing daily services in the Cathedral, and in 1994, girls were able to join the Choir as well.
Nowadays, there are up to 36 Choristers altogether, between the ages of 7 and 14. All of the Choristers go to school at Wells Cathedral School, so you’ll see them at School as well as during your duties in the Cathedral.
Like when you start anything new, there will be things that you need to learn to be the best that you can be. This is no different as a Chorister. Some of these are musical things - how to read music and sing it well, how to use your voice or how to read a psalm! Other things will be about being a good team player and representative for the Choir and Cathedral - how to move around the building, how to behave during rehearsals, and what to wear.
We hope this booklet will help you with any questions you might have about your new role. If you’re not sure, the Who’s Who section (page 6) will help you find someone you can ask!
Wells Cathedral
There has been a church where the Cathedral now stands since the year 705. In 909, the first Bishop of Wells was chosen. He was an Anglo-Saxon called Athelm, and from this year the church became a Cathedral.
The building we have today is amazing in so many ways. It started being built in 1176, replacing the older churches on the site. It was one of the first buildings in Europe to be built using only pointed arches rather than round ones - you can see these everywhere in the building. Most of the Cathedral had been finished by the early 1300s, with the central tower and Lady Chapel being added in 1326.
There was very nearly a disaster in the mid-1300s, when people working at the Cathedral noticed big cracks in the pillars that held up the central tower. Because it had been added on later, the tower was too heavy for the pillars to hold up, and they were starting to break! The stone mason at the time, a man called William Joy,
designed the famous scissor arches to stop the whole thing from tumbling down. It worked! The tower is still standing now, nearly 700 years later.
As a Chorister, you will spend most of your time in a few different parts of the Cathedral - these are circled on the plan on the next page. Every morning, you will enter the Cathedral through the North Door (2). You will practise for Choir in the Choir Practice Rooms (6). (Fun fact: these are shaped like a piano when you look at them from above!) These are linked to the Cathedral by a long corridor called the Cloisters (5). Inside the Cathedral itself, you will sing Evensong in the Quire (4), and some Sunday and special services in the Nave (3).
You can see the different parts of the Cathedral on the next page.
Who’s Who
There are lots of people who are here to support you in the Cathedral and at School. We are all here to help you, so if you’re ever unsure of anything or just want to talk about something, come and find one of us!
Mr Parsons - Director of Music
Mr Parsons is in charge of the Choir overall. He takes morning and evening rehearsals and conducts most of the services in the Cathedral. As part of his wider role, he is in charge of the Cathedral’s Music Department.
Ms Craig - Assistant Director of Music
Ms Craig helps Mr Parsons run the Choir. She will take some of your rehearsals with you, especially in your first year in the Choir, and plays the organ for most services.
Mr Marshall - Organ Scholar
Mr Marshall takes some Chorister rehearsals, and will play the organ for some services.
Mr Jenkins - Chorister Co-ordinator
Mr Jenkins works at the Cathedral School, and helps make sure that all the Choristers are in the right place at the right time. He will meet you before most morning rehearsals and look after you during Chorister Tea before evensongs and rehearsals. Mr Jenkins also plays a vital pastoral role much like a form tutor at School. As the link between the School and the Cathedral, Mr Jenkins ensures that your teachers understand what is taking place in your busy Chorister life and that the key Cathedral staff (Mr Parsons and Ms Craig) appreciate what is taking place in your busy School life. He will also work closely with your parents to help you during your time as a Chorister.
Mr Kidd - Chorister Vocal Tutor
Mr Kidd takes Chorister vocal lessons during morning rehearsals on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. He is also one of the Vicars Choral at the Cathedral, and a singing teacher at School.
The Reverend Canon Tim StevensPrecentor
Tim is one of the Cathedral’s Canons, a special type of priest with a seat in the Quire, where we sing Evensong. His job is to organise and make sure all of the services in the Cathedral happen, and is also the priest that looks after the singers and musicians.
Mrs Rowntree - Houseparent of Claver Morris
Mrs Rowntree runs the junior boarding house at School, and looks after most of the boarding Choristers. She is also in charge of Performing Arts in the Prep School.
Mrs Lawlor - Music Department Coordinator
Mrs Lawlor looks after the administration of the music department, organises the Chaperones, and arranges for visiting choirs to sing the services when the Cathedral Choir is on holiday. She will often email your parents to let them know what is happening at the Cathedral.
Mrs Henderson - Mistress of the Robes
Mrs Henderson looks after the cassocks and surplices that you wear every day in Choir. You will meet her right at the start of your Chorister journey when she will help you find a cassock that fits you.
The Chorister Chaperones
At Wells, we have a very friendly group of adults who come to chaperone Choristers during rehearsals and services. They will sit in the room with you during rehearsals, and you can always go to them if you are unsure or have a problem.
The Virgers
Wells Cathedral has a team of five virgers. Their job is to keep the Cathedral safe and tidy, and help organise big events with things such as staging and candles. They are also the First Aiders in the Cathedral and are there to help if anything goes wrong!
Mostly, every week follows the same pattern of rehearsals and services. The days that you sing after School will change depending on whether you are a Boy or Girl Chorister, and if you are a Junior (in Years 4, 5 or 6) or a Senior (in Years 7, 8 or 9). Sometimes, there are special services, which might mean that the usual pattern is different. If you are singing on a particular day, you are a “duty” Chorister.
Monday
7:45am - meet at School for ranks and walk down to the Cathedral with Mr Jenkins for morning rehearsal
9:00am - return to School and start your lessons for the day
3:45pm - Chorister tea time for Duty Choristers in the Dining Hall at School. There’ll be sandwiches, soup, and maybe even cake!
4.10pm - Duty Choristers walk down to the Cathedral for a rehearsal
5.30pm - home time
Tuesday
7:45am - meet at School for ranks and walk down to the Cathedral with Mr Jenkins for morning rehearsal
9:00am - return to School and start your lessons for the day
3:45pm - Chorister tea time for Boy Choristers in the Dining Hall at School.
4:10pm - Boy Choristers walk down to the Cathedral for a quick rehearsal, and then sing Evensong
6:00pm - home time
Wednesday
There are usually no Chorister duties on a Wednesday.
The Chorister Week
Thursday
7:45am - meet at School for ranks and walk down to the Cathedral with Mr Jenkins for morning rehearsal
9:00am - return to School and start your lessons for the day
3:45pm - Chorister tea time for Girl Choristers in the Dining Hall at School
4:10pm - Girl Choristers walk down to the Cathedral for a quick rehearsal, and then sing Evensong
6:00pm - home time
Friday
7:45am - meet at School for ranks and walk down to the Cathedral with Mr Wells, the Head of the Prep School, for morning rehearsal
9:00am - return to School and start your lessons for the day
3:45pm - Chorister tea time for All Choristers in the Dining Hall at School.
4.10pm - All Choristers walk down to the Cathedral. If you are singing at the weekend you will have a rehearsal until 5.30pm. If you are not, you will sing Evensong on Friday
6:00pm - home time
Saturday
3:00pm - ranks and rehearsal for Weekend Duty Choristers, followed by Evensong 6pm - home time
Sunday
9:00am - ranks and rehearsal for Duty Choristers singing Eucharist
12:00pm - brunch and break at School for Duty Choristers
1:15pm - ranks and rehearsal for Duty Choristers singing Evensong
4:00pm - home time
Being a Team
As a Chorister, you are part of an amazing team. You will work with the same group of children a lot over the next few years, as you sing with them on most days of the week. You might already know some of the Choristers, or they might all be new to you.
You are in the Choir because you are good enough to be a part of the team. Everyone is on their own journey as a Chorister, and it’s important to remember that some Choristers have much more experience than others! The team can only be the best it can be if everyone is trying their hardest.
Choristers need to work hard, but there are lots of times for enjoyment and fun too! Every day that you are singing after School, you will have Chorister Tea at School. This is a chance to chat to your fellow Choristers and get to know everyone. Throughout the year, there will be events for Choristers that don’t involve singing. In the past, Choristers have been on trips to ice-skate, watch films, or even camp out overnight inside the Cathedral!
Older choristers may be given positions of responsibility, and are expected to lead by example. They are there to help everyone, and might also give you instructions to follow sometimes.
Whenever you are on duty as a Chorister, you should wear your School uniform (even on the weekends!). Choristers have a special blazer with a different emblem to most people at School, and a Chorister tie with little Cathedrals on it!
Your shoes need to be black (people can see them under your cassock), and if you have long hair, this needs to be tied up in a bun with a Choir scrunchy.
You will also have a warm cloak to wear. You will need this whenever you walk between the Cathedral and School during the colder parts of the year.
For services and rehearsals in the Cathedral, you will need to wear your Choir robes.
What to Wear
There are several main parts of the choir robes:
• Cassock - this is the long blue robe that covers your whole body. It can be a bit tricky to get on to start with, so ask another Chorister if it doesn’t seem quite right! There’s a belt that goes around the middle to hold it all together.
• Surplice - the long floaty white robe that goes over the top of your cassock. When you first start in Choir, you won’t have one of these. When the Director of Music thinks you are ready to be a full member of the Choir, you will get your surplice.
• Ruff - this is a type of frilly collar that goes around your neck. The velcro does up at the back, and it’s very hard to make sure the bottom of it is all inside your cassock - help each other out!
• Medal - some of the Senior Choristers also wear medals. The boy and girl Head Choristers have red medals, the Deputy Head Choristers have blue medals, and sometimes other Senior Choristers will wear yellow medals.
The Chorister Code of Conduct
This is a list of rules and guidelines to remember and follow at all times when you are on duty as a Chorister. You’ll see it on posters on the walls in the Cathedral Song School. It’s important to keep to all of the rules on the list so that everyone can enjoy their time as a Chorister, feel safe and happy whilst doing their duties, and can be the best that they can possibly be.
Chorister Code of Conduct
• We are always kind and supportive to each other
• We behave well and are respectful and polite
• We always try our best and work hard in rehearsals and services
• We always listen to members of staff and follow instructions to the best of our ability
• We look after our vestments and music, taking care of it for the next generation of Choristers
• To ask or answer a question, we put our hands up and wait patiently; we do not call out
• We do the jobs assigned to us to the best of our ability
• We listen to the Head and Deputy Head Choristers
• We are silent in ranks, and at all times in the Cathedral unless we are singing
Kindness and Respect
Because everyone has a right to feel safe whilst at School or Choir, it is important that your words and actions are kind and respectful towards other children and adults at all times. We want all members of the Choir to have the chance to be the best that they can and enjoy themselves whilst singing. If you think anything is happening that stops this from being true, you should tell one of the adults at the Cathedral or at School.
What is bullying?
Bullying is anything that intends to hurt or upset someone again and again. It makes them feel unhappy, afraid or ashamed. Bullying can be:
• Physical - hitting, kicking, punching, biting, pinching
• Anything intended to hurt someone’s feelings
• Teasing about personal choices, how someone is or how they look
• Leaving people out of games or groups
Sometimes bullies can use words to scare or threaten people, including online using texts, messages or emails. When bullying happens online, it is called cyber-bullying.
Bullies can come in all shapes or sizes, and sometimes can get other people involved in the bullying too.
What can I do if I see bullying?
If you see someone being bullied, you should try and support them and look after them. Tell an adult that you trust so that we can help.
If you think you are being bullied, you should also try and tell an adult. Sometimes this can be hard, but it can be any adult that you trust at the Cathedral or at School. If we know what is happening, we will support you and try to stop the bullying. We will talk to you and other children that are involved, and to your parents so that we can all work together to make sure that you feel safe.
Who You Can Talk To
Being a Chorister is a great experience, and we hope that you enjoy your time learning, singing, and being a part of the Choir. We know though, that sometimes things can get a bit tougher. We can all get worried about things, or sad when something isn’t going as well as we’d like it to.
If there is ever anything that doesn’t feel quite right whilst you are a Chorister, talk to an adult that you trust. Here are some ideas of people you could go to...
Mr Parsons
You will see Mr Parsons almost every day at the Cathedral for rehearsals.
Mr Kidd
You will see Mr Kidd in the mornings for your singing lessons.
Outside of School and the Cathedral
Mr Jenkins
Mr Jenkins will be at Ranks and in School from Monday to Friday
Mr Marshall
Mr Marshall will take some of your rehearsals, and help with Chorister Theory. He also plays the organ for some services.
Ms Craig
Ms Craig will take some of your rehearsals, deliver chorister theory in school for junior choristers, and play the organ for most services.
Your Tutor at School and other teachers
You will have a Tutor at School who you will see every day, but all of your teachers are always happy to listen and to help.
The Chorister Chaperones
The Chorister Chaperones are at every rehearsal and service to help look after you.
https://www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111
https://www.childrens commissioner.gov.uk 0800 528 0731
We are all here to help and support you. You can talk to someone about anything, even if it feels silly, small or bad.
Looking After Your Voice
We are very lucky to have Mr Kidd as our Chorister Vocal Tutor at Wells. He will see you most weeks during early morning practice, and help you develop good vocal technique and health whilst you are a Chorister.
Here are some tips to keep your voice healthy at all times, and what you can do when it isn’t feeling quite so good.
Before You Sing
It’s important to prepare your body for singing. Here are some steps to go though to get ready:
• Warm up your muscles - roll your shoulders, shake your legs, reach up to the ceiling and stretch
• Breathing exercises - breathe in and then out to a long “shhh” sound, then “ssss” and “ffff”
• Sound warm up - make “brrr” sounds with lips, starting low and gradually getting higher in pitch
• Range warm up - make “wooo” (like a ghost) and “mmm” (delicious!) sounds, starting low in your voice and getting higher
Keeping Hydrated
Humans are about 60% water. If you are hydrated, it means you have enough water in your body for it all to function properly.
If you are dehydrated, you are:
• More likely to get ill
• Going to find it harder to sing
You should drink at least 2 litres of water a day. You can do this by drinking:
• 500ml in the morning before Choir
• 500ml before break time at School
• 500ml over lunchtime
• 500ml between lunch and the end of the day!
Getting Better
Everybody’s voice has tough times now and again. It can be due to illness or because your voice is tired or used incorrectly. If you need to get better, you can:
• Exercise less (to rest your body)
• Stay warm
• Drink more water
To help your voice, you might be asked to not sing in Choir for a day or two, to give your voice a rest.
Another useful tip is to steam - breathe in steam from hot water to soothe your vocal chords. Do not sing for half an hour after steaming.
Singing Safely
Your whole body is your instrument, so you need to look after it! To do this, you can:
• Listen to Mr Kidd’s tips on how to stand when singing
• Rest if you are unwell
• Not push your voice. Your voice might be quieter than other Choristers - everyone is different!
• Think carefully about how you use your voice outside of Choir - in the playground or in drama productions, for example
• Talk to Mr Kidd or Mr Parsons if you have any questions
Glossary
You will probably find lots of words over your first few weeks in the Choir that you don’t know and have never seen or heard before. This section will help you understand some of the most common ones!
Agnus Dei - the last section of a Mass, where we sing about Jesus being merciful to everyone.
Alto - one of the voice parts in the Choir. The second highest after the Choristers.
Bass - the lowest voice type in the Choir.
Benedictus - one of the sections of the Mass.
Bishop - the most important priest in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. They wear a pointed hat (a mitre) and carry a long stick (a crozier).
Canon - a priest with a special seat in the Cathedral.
Cantoris (Can) - one of the two sides of the Choir.
Cassock - a long item of clothing that we wear for services. Ours are blue.
Cathedra - the special throne for the Bishop in the Quire.
Chaperone - the people who kindly look after you during rehearsals and services. You can always go to them for help if you need it!
Chorister - one of the child singers in the Cathedral Choir.
Chorister Tea - your chance to have a snack and a chat between School and your evening duties.
Communion - the part of the Eucharist where the congregation take bread and wine from the priest.
Congregation - the people who come to a service, a bit like an audience.
Dean - the priest in charge of the Cathedral.
Decani (Dec) - one of two sides of the Choir.
Eucharist - a type of service where a Mass is sung and people take Communion.
Evensong - a service sung in the evenings. It happens nearly every day in Wells!
Gloria - a section of the Mass where we sing praise to God.
Head Chorister - a Chorister who has been in the Choir for many years, who leads by example and is always happy to help!
Hymn - a song that the Congregation joins in with. We use the green hymn books to help us with these.
Latin - the language that the Romans used to speak. We quite often sing songs in Latin in the Cathedral.
Magnificat - the song that Mary sang when she heard that she was going to give birth to Jesus. We sing a version of it at every Evensong.
Mass - a piece of music with multiple sections that we sing as part of a Eucharist service.
Nave - the long part of the Cathedral. We sing Eucharist here on Sundays.
Nunc Dimittis - the song of Simeon. Simeon was a very old man, who had been promised that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. We sing a version of it at every Evensong.
Organ Scholar - one of the people who plays the organ and takes rehearsals
Precentor - the priest in the Cathedral who makes sure that services and music happen in the right way, and has oversight for the work of the Choir.
Probationer - what you are when you first join the Choir, before you get your surplice. You are just starting to learn what it means to be a Chorister.
Processing - when we walk in and out of services in two straight lines.
Psalm - “salm”. Hebrew songs from the Book of Psalms in the Bible. We sing them at every Evensong to chants.
Quire - it sounds like “Choir” but is spelt differently. This is the part of the Cathedral with the choir stalls in, where we sing Evensong.
Ranks - when we line up and walk to and from the Cathedral in the morning and evening. You need to be quiet and sensible during ranks - you’re representing the Choir and all the Choristers!
Rehearsal - when we practise for services and concerts.
Responses - part of Evensong, where one person sings a line of music and the whole Choir responds.
Ruff - the white frilly scarf that you wear around your neck for services.
Sanctus - another section of the Mass, the song of the angels in Heaven.
Song School - the rooms in the Cathedral where we practise and keep our robes.
Surplice - the white floaty bit of clothing that Choristers wear over their cassocks.
Tenor - one of the voice parts in the Choir. It is the second lowest, higher than the basses, but lower than the altos.
Theory Sessions - a special type of lesson at School where you learn how music works and the names of different musical features.
Transept - the parts of the Cathedral that stick out from the side to make a cross shape. Wells has two - the North Transept and the South Transept.
Vicar Choral (VC) - one of the people who sing the alto, tenor or bass parts in the Choir. They stand behind you in the Choir stalls.
Vicars’ Close - the long street that we walk down to get from the Cathedral to School, also just called “The Close”. Look out for the tall chimneys!
Have you found any other new words? Make a note of them on this page! Your Head Choristers or the adults at Choir will be able to help you if you’re stuck.
