Choirs and Scholarships

The Cathedral Choir

Exeter Cathedral's boy and girl Choristers are educated at the Cathedral School. The children, all aged between 7 and 13, join adult professional singers (Lay Vicars and Choral Scholars) as equals to sing up to 8 services a week during term time (on a rota basis), together with a busy diary of recording, broadcasting, concert and touring commitments. Recent highlights include the first broadcast of Ronald Corp's Laudate Dominum on BBC Radio 3, tours to Norway, Tenerife, Switzerland and Ireland. In addition the choir has released several CDs, all of which are available from the Cathedral Shop.

Parents of prospective Choristers should contact Lucy Lewis, Registrar and PA to the Headmaster at Exeter Cathedral School, Tel 01392 255298, email hmsec@exetercs.org

Choral Scholarships for counter-tenors, tenors and basses

Choral Scholarships are held either in conjunction with undergraduate/postgraduate study at the University of Exeter, or to students taking a gap year before or after University. The scholarship, payable by the Dean and Chapter, is currently c.£3000 per annum and will be paid in monthly instalments. This may be augmented by a University Music Scholarship (for students enrolled at the University). Cathedral accommodation may be available for Choral Scholars at a modest rent. Choral Scholars are required at all statutory choral services and rehearsals when the Lay Vicars are singing.

Please click here for further information
Please click here for an application form

The Lay Vicars

The Lay Vicars are professional singers who combine their regular commitment to the Cathedral Choir (as counter-tenors, tenors and basses) with other employments in the area. The Director of Music is always keen to hear from singers who wish to audition for the deputy list. Please email music [at ] exeter-cathedral.org.uk for more information

St Peter's Singers

The St Peter's Singers of Exeter Cathedral is an adult chamber choir that sings at special services and on some Sundays when the Cathedral Choir is on holiday. Entry is subject to audition with the choir's director and Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral, David Davies. Please contact the Department of Liturgy and Music for more information.

Chorister Outreach Programme

In Devon, the project is run as a collaboration between Exeter Cathedral and the Devon County Council Music Service.  It is also supported by the Royal School of Church Music, Devon Area, and the Benedictine Community at Buckfast Abbey.  The programme aims to instil and develop the joy of singing among children in primary schools, by offering specialist teaching input, continuing support and high-quality performance opportunities.  It also aims to raise levels of access, achievement and aspiration, and to encourage and develop collaborative projects for singing for both pupils and staff.

Full details of the programme may be found in the Notes for Schools as a pdf download document here

Devon County Junior Choir

The Devon County Junior Choir was formed in September 2007, as an integral part of the Chorister Outreach Programme. It is for primary school age children from Years 3 to 8 who are really enthusiastic about singing and who would enjoy the opportunity to enhance their singing technique and perform regularly. Full details may be found on the website.

Schola Exe

Following the success of the Devon County Junior Choir, Exeter Cathedral and Devon Music Service have launched Schola Exe to cater for young people in school years 9-13. The choir is directed by Rachel Smith and David Davies. Full details may be found on their website

Old Choristers' Association

The Exeter Cathedral Old Choristers' Association maintains its own website (please click here).