Llandaff Cathedral School has been the place of education for the boy choristers of the Cathedral Choir since the foundation of the present school in 1880. Today, although the school has developed, the relationship with the Cathedral remains as strong as ever, and Llandaff Cathedral School is the only surviving Anglican Cathedral School in Wales.
The Cathedral Choir rehearses four mornings a week before school and currently sings services on average four times a week in school term time, as well as at important national and diocesan events. There are duties at Easter and Christmas with services on 24 and 25 December alone attracting close to 2000 people in total.
Vacancies exist for entrance to the choir over the current academic year, and for the year beginning September 2017. Admission to the choir is through a Voice Trial (Audition) with the Director of Music.
The benefits of a Choristership in the Cathedral Choir should not be underestimated for the boys that take them up, and choristers learn valuable skills that will set them up for life in whatever field they choose. These include:
- A free musical education with professional music staff
- The opportunity to work with peers and adults to a high level, making new and lasting friends across the year groups
- Development of important life skills: time keeping, confidence and self-discipline
- The chance to be part of a musical tradition in Llandaff that stretches back centuries and includes some of the most wonderful choral music ever written
- Opportunities to take part in concerts, recordings and domestic and foreign tours
Singing in a choir such as the one here in Llandaff is an opportunity and privilege not available to children in many parts of the UK. Boys who show a love of music and singing are encouraged to apply and see what this opportunity might afford them. All that’s needed are boys with a ‘spark’ and we will do the rest! Boys usually join the choir in year 3 or 4 as Probationer Choristers and continue through the ranks of seniority until their voice changes or until the end of year 9, whichever comes first. Parents of Choristers are offered a generous reduction in their son’s school fees for the duration of the time in the choir.
For informal advice, our full current information about the Choir and Llandaff Cathedral School or for an application form, please contact the Director of Music or the Cathedral School Registrar. Further information about Choristerships can also be found on the Cathedral School website http://www.cathedral-school.co.uk/becoming-a-chorister.html
Mr Stephen Moore
Director of Music
Llandaff Cathedral
The Cathedral Green
Llandaff
Cardiff
CF5 2LA
029 2056 4554
stephenmoore@llandaffcathedral.org.uk
Mrs Pam Critcher
School Registrar
Llandaff Cathedral School
Cardiff Road
Llandaff
Cardiff
CF5 2YH
029 2056 3179
critcherpa@cathedral-school.co.uk