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 Southwark
Cathedral Girls' Choir was formed during the year 2000, to enrich
the Cathedral's musical heritage and to offer girls the same
opportunity for musical, spiritual and social development which boys
had enjoyed for so long.
Enriching
the Heritage
The Girls' Choir has its own distinct identity, enriching and
extending the tradition of Cathedral music, while we continue to
preserve the unique heritage of boy choristers. By running a
separate choir for girls, an increasing number of cathedrals have
not only addressed the gender equality issue and avoided the
arguments about mixing voices, but also reaped the benefits of
having two choirs!
Who
can join?
Applicants must be able to manage the commitment of regular Choir
membership. Girls are admitted from around the age of 9 (School Year
5) and remain in the Choir until the end of their year in the Lower
6th (Year 12) or when they leave school if they do so at 16.
Applicants do not need to be able to read music - though of course
being able to do so is very advantageous. We welcome choristers of
any religious background or none.
The
role of the Girls' Choir in the life of the Cathedral
The choirs of Southwark Cathedral provide high quality music for the
daily worship of the Cathedral. The main choral service, Evensong,
takes about half an hour and is largely sung by the choir alone,
accompanied by the organ. The Girls' Choir sing Evensong at 5.30pm
every Thursday and on alternate Mondays. They also sing once a term
at one of the Traditional Rite Choral Eucharists celebrated on the
first Sunday of each month at 6.30pm. The girls also take their fair
share of special services and concert engagements having sung at the
Consecration of Bishops, for Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal
Highness The Prince of Wales, Mr Nelson Mandela and many others.
They have also sung with the boys and gentlemen in the BBC Prom
Season 2002.
What
commitment is expected?
Rehearsals are on Mondays and Thursdays at 4.30pm before Evensong.
Following the service or rehearsal they are ready to leave by
6.15pm. There are also individual singing lessons during the term
and on occasions special rehearsals as required. This schedule
represents a modest commitment given the quality we aim to achieve,
so it is essential that Choir members attend the whole duration of
every session. It is only possible to miss Choir to attend some
special occasion if this is negotiated with the Choir Director well
in advance. Of course this would not apply in case of illness or
family emergency.
Who
runs the Choir?
The Girls' Choir is recruited, trained and directed by Stephen
Disley, Assistant Organist at the Cathedral, under the overall
direction of Canon Andrew Nunn, Sub Dean and Precentor, and Peter
Wright, the Director of Music.
Is
there money involved?
Choristers are paid a small termly honorarium, according to
seniority, effort and attendance. We provide all the necessary
musical materials and will meet choristers' transport costs to and
from the Cathedral.
Caring
for the Choir
The Choir is run in full accordance with the requirements of the
Children's Act and the Cathedral's Child Protection Policy.
Choristers often arrange to travel together and we are willing to
see younger choristers on to trains or buses if required.
Joining
the Girls' Choir
When you have completed and returned an application form, you will
be invited to attend an audition. This is an opportunity to meet the
Director and to give an impression of your ability. It is not an
exam to pass or fail. You bring a song of your choice, which can be
something very simple, like a hymn or Christmas carol. No further
preparation is required.
Successful candidates
attend rehearsals as probationer choristers and when the Director
feels they are ready, they join in the singing of services. When the
new member has learned the basics of choristership and feels ready
to make a long-term commitment, she is formally admitted to the
Choir by the Dean during one of the Cathedral services.
How
to apply
Return the application form (available from the address below) to
the Choir Director. Candidates will be given an appointment time and
full details about the audition. They are seen individually.
Any
further questions?
If there is anything further you would like to ask about the Girls'
Choir, please contact:
Stephen Disley
Director of the Girls' Choir
Southwark Cathedral
Montague Close
London SE1 9DA
Tel: 020-7367 6703
Fax: 020-7367 6725
E-mail: stephen.disley@southwark.anglican.org
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