Choirs and Scholarships

The Cathedral Choir

The choir of Exeter Cathedral has a long and interesting history. It has sung the liturgical services of the church almost without interruption since at least the thirteenth century. Several famous church musicians have been closely associated with the Cathedral’s music, including Matthew Locke (chorister in the 17th century) and SS Wesley, England’s foremost Cathedral organist of the 19th century. The Choristers are educated at the Cathedral School, which is a very ancient establishment. In 1994 a girls’ choir was formed: the choir now consists of 18 boy choristers, 18 girl choristers and 13 gentlemen.

Regular services are normally sung by boys and gentlemen or girls and gentlemen. The adult members are professionally trained singers, either Lay Vicars or Choral Scholars some of whom combine singing with their academic studies at Exeter University. During the term the choir sings eight services each week, including three on Sundays. In addition, the choir broadcasts regularly on radio and television. It has given a number of concerts with leading orchestras and has made several recordings. Overseas tours have been undertaken, including visits to Canada, France, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium. In July 2006 the choir undertook an exciting and extensive tour to the USA. More recently, the choir has toured Switzerland, Tenerife and Norway. The choir makes regular visits to churches throughout the Diocese to sing services and concerts. The choir’s extensive repertoire covers a wide range of music from medieval plainsong through to contemporary works. Recordings (available from the Cathedral Shop) include Evensong for St Peter’s Day and Anthems from the Victorian Era, both on the Herald label. Most recently the choir has recorded the first volume in a new series of the Psalms of David for Priory Records.

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 or visit the School Website. For an information booklet on 2010-2011, please click here

Choral Scholarships

Choral Scholarships in the Cathedral Choir are available for Counter-tenors, Tenors and Basses. There are 6-8 choral scholars in the choir, singing with a similar number of Lay Vicars and 20 boy or girl choristers. Choral Scholarships are usually held in conjunction with degree courses at Exeter University or offered as a gap year opportunity. The Scholarships are normally tenable for three years, though this may be extended for an extra year in certain circumstances. In addition, one-year scholarships are available for gap students or postgraduates. The scholarship, payable by the Dean and Chapter, is currently c.£3000 per annum and will be paid in monthly instalments. This amount may be augmented by a further funding (for singing lessons) for Exeter University students. 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

St Peter's Singers

The St Peter's Singers of Exeter Cathedral now 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

The Chorister Outreach Programme is a national government-funded scheme designed to encourage and enable cathedrals to use their musical resources to promote singing among children in primary schools.  It is part of the national Sing-up programme, led by the government's Singing Ambassador Howard Goodall, which aims to achieve Singing School status for every primary school by the year 2012.

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.

Following a highly successful pilot with four Exeter schools in the Spring of 2007, the project was fully launched in the Autumn Term of 2007.  Over the last two years, some 30 schools have taken part in the programme, involving around 1400 children.

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.

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