News

Chorister Reflection

As another academic year draws to a close, it naturally brings some reflection on the past year.

For our choristers, the 2024-25 academic year has included well over 240 rehearsals and services at the Cathedral as well as various other special events and occasions. Since last September, the choir has broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4, performed five concerts, made a professional recording and sung at a National Service for VE Day. The Girl Choristers sang at the Good Friday service for the first time, and we also made history by appointing the first-ever Girl Chorister as Dean’s Scholar. In September we welcomed over 50 delegates to a national gathering of Former Choristers and this has all fitted around the weekly round of regular chorister duties.

The end of the year is always tinged with sadness as we say farewell to choristers who have completed their choristership. At the Valediction Service on Sunday 6th July, we bade farewell to Gwenan H, Valerie A, Molly D, Sophia G, Alex B, Alex W and Austin D, and marked their fantastic contribution to the music of the Cathedral. After Evensong, much cake was consumed at a party which was attended by friends, family, CSL staff and supporters of the choir as well as some of those who will be joining the choir in September.

The ever-revolving door of choristers means that we are looking forward to welcoming seven new Probationers to the choir in September who will begin their own chorister journey. As we all collapse with exhaustion at the end of term, we look forward to another exciting year ahead.