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 sings five choral services each week in school term time. Evensong at 5.30pm on Tuesdays (Boys only), Thursday (Full Choir) and Fridays (ATB only). Sunday services are the Choral Eucharist at 11.00am and Evensong at 3.30pm. As a result the choir performs a great deal of music, some written centuries ago and other more contemporary works.
The Cathedral Choir also has a busy schedule of concerts, broadcasts and recordings both at the cathedral and further afield. Tours and trips around the diocese are planned for the coming years. More information can be found on the Cathedral Choir Facebook page or on Twitter by following @LlandaffChoir.
Vacancies usually exist for boys to gain entrance to the choir at the start of each academic year, although occasional spaces may still be available. 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
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 children 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 Deborah Whitehouse
School Registrar
Llandaff Cathedral School
Cardiff Road
Llandaff
Cardiff
CF5 2YH
029 2083 8504
registrar@cathedral-school.co.uk