BOYS currently in the Year 3 to Year 5 age group with a developing passion for music and singing are being offered the opportunity to discover what life is like as an Ely Cathedral Chorister.
The Be a chorister for a day event is being held on Saturday November 9 by Ely Cathedral and King’s Ely, which provides choristerships for talented boy singers in Years 4 to 8. As well as the opportunity to sing in one of Europe’s finest cathedrals with artists, orchestras and ensembles of national repute, the Ely Cathedral Choristers are educated at King’s Ely with 50% remission on boarding fees.
The schedule for the open day includes a demonstration voice trial, tours of Ely Cathedral and the boarding house, lunch in the Harry Potter style Monastic Barn and information about the audition process. The most talented singers will be invited back in January to take part in more formal voice trials, which can include a prepared song, ear tests, reading, instrumental pieces (if applicable) and academic tests.
Ely Cathedral Boys’ Choir has been part of the English Choral tradition since the mid-16th century. Today the choir consists of some 22 boy choristers and six adult lay clerks. Alongside daily rehearsals and schedules, there is an exciting schedule of concerts, broadcasts and recordings.
Headed by Director of Music, Paul Trepte, the choir is much in demand for radio and television broadcasts, recordings, concerts and international tours. The choristers have also worked with James Bowman, Aled Jones, Gareth Malone, Jose Carreras, Britten Sinfonia, The Orchestra of St John’s, The Brandenburg Consort and The London Symphony Orchestra, to name but a few.
The boys live in the same boarding house during term time, which is situated near to the east end of the Cathedral and dates from the 14th century. The Housemaster and his family live in the same building and great care is taken to achieve a healthy balance between the general education of a chorister and his singing commitments.
Director of Music, Paul Trepte, said: “Being a chorister with Ely Cathedral and King’s Ely is something very special; singing Evensong in Ely Cathedral, sharing life with the other choristers at Choir House, and being part of a very happy, talented group of boys. It is a commitment too for their families, but an experience that will stay with them through life and, for many, mark the beginning of a successful and fulfilling musical career.”
To register for the Be a chorister for a day event, please email katiedriver@kingsely.org or call 01353 660732.