The Chorister Voice Trials are for children in years 2-5 who wish to audition for the exciting chance to become an Exeter Cathedral Chorister. We are currently looking to recruit four boy choristers in years 2-5 and one girl chorister in year 4 to join the Exeter Cathedral Choir in September 2025.
Why Become a Chorister
Being part of the Exeter Cathedral Choir is a unique opportunity for children who love music to gain a fantastic musical education as part of a prestigious choir.
Exeter Cathedral Choir has been at the heart of Cathedral life for hundreds of years and plays a key role in daily worship, special occasions and concert performances. Described by Classic FM as “one of the country’s finest choirs,” Exeter Cathedral Choir leads around eight services each week during term time, maintaining a tradition that has been largely unbroken for centuries. Choristers also have the exciting opportunity to take part in concerts, recordings, radio broadcasts and tours! This year’s tour will visit Normandy and Paris.
An Excellent Education for all Choristers
All of Exeter Cathedral’s Choristers attend Exeter Cathedral School – an independent prep school with
historic ties to the Cathedral. All Choristers receive a 25% subsidy on school fees, with additional financial support available through means testing. Subsidies are administered by Exeter Cathedral School, who will be pleased to discuss funding options with the families of successful Chorister candidates.
Exeter Cathedral School is Exeter’s oldest school and provides a tailored education for children aged 3-13. Offering a first-rate education experience, the school has an engaging curriculum and passionate teachers alongside providing a positive and inclusive environment. As well as specialising in high-calibre sporting and wellbeing education and world-class musical education, Exeter Cathedral School also wide range of extra curricular activities and opportunities for personal growth.
What to Expect at a Voice Trial
Candidates may wear any casual, comfortable clothes and should bring the music for their prepared song and any musical instrument(s) as appropriate.
The children will receive an individual audition assessed by Timothy Noon (Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral) and Michael Stephens-Jones (Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral).
Assessments will include:
- Singing a prepared song or hymn (this does not need to be anything complicated; it should be a song that your child is familiar with and really enjoys singing). It is extremely helpful if children bring the musical accompaniment for their prepared piece with them so that Mr Noon can accompany them;
- Playing a musical instrument if applicable (this is not compulsory);
- Ear tests e.g. singing notes played on the piano; tests of musicality.
We will do our very best to put the children at ease and make the occasion an enjoyable one for them as we want them to do their best and to be relaxed, happy and confident.
The Decision Process
Following the Voice Trial, the Cathedral Director of Music, the Headmaster, the Assistant Head and a member of the Cathedral Clergy will meet to discuss the results from all the assessments. We will hope to inform parents of decisions within one week of the Voice Trial.
It is important to understand that auditions for the Cathedral Choir are necessarily a very selective process and not everyone can succeed. The number of places is strictly limited in any given year and younger candidates may be encouraged to return for a further voice audition the following year if their voices have not yet developed sufficiently. It is also perhaps worthy of note that several of our current and past Choristers had unsuccessful auditions here or elsewhere before they were offered a Choristership.
How to Apply
To arrange a Voice Trial, please get in touch with Exeter Cathedral’s Director of Music, Timothy Noon
via email.