A chorister's story

I joined the Cathedral Choir as a Probationer in September 2001, and in January 2002 I was installed as a Chorister. The overwhelming nervousness as I was installed into the Cathedral Choir was incredible, but it was worth it.

When I thought about what being a chorister meant before I joined, the prospect seemed awe inspiring, but a complete unknown, what would it do to me? Would I come out the other end, five years later, the same?  I am very proud to say I didn't, and on my last day, all the feelings of five years service, training, incredible commitment and hard work, were shown in one last sing with the choir. My future has changed dramatically. I used to want to be a fireman, or maybe a spaceman, but now maybe I'll start up my own close harmony group, or become a professional violinist. My view on music and my future has a whole new slant - music is big!

Those precious five years changed my view on what I should, could, want to be. I can now be something completely different with new opportunities. How many other people know what it is like to sing in Westminster Abbey other than a very select few people? Another highlight was my first solo with the Cathedral choir: I sang the high treble in Allegri's Miserere on Ash Wednesday, the day before my 11th birthday.  I have enjoyed every moment of it! I must just briefly touch on one last point: I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of a fantastic Cathedral choir and have been able to share my gift with others. I would not exchange those five years for anything!

Matthew, aged 14.