Refreshing lives, transforming faith, at the heart of the community Haere Mai, Piki Mai
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The Nelson Cathedral boys and girls Choir is made up of young people aged from about 8 years who sing the top part of the music of the Cathedral Choir.
They sing at Cathedral Services on Sundays, and practise on Thursdays. There are trips away and the opportunity to attend holiday courses.
Joining
After an initial voice test a child joins as a probationer. During this period an assessment is made of effort, attitude,
musical potential and attendance. If this is satisfactory the child is admitted to the choir. It is helpful if a musical
instrument is being learnt.
It is not necessary that a chorister comes from an Anglican Church background.
At what age should a child join?
In order to benefit fully from the graded system of tuition, and to make a contribution as an experienced member of the Choir, a
child should begin by 9 or 10 years of age. However older children, especially those with previous musical and singing
experience, are welcomed.
Musical training
The Choir uses the
Royal School of Church Music Choristers' Training Scheme,
which is a graded system of instruction in musical, liturgical and social skills.
There are three stages that a chorister can achieve and each takes about a year to reach.
The liturgical requirements of the Cathedral provide more demanding deadlines than other Choirs - a challenge which bright
musical children enjoy. Those who take advantage of the training achieve above average skills in sight reading, part singing
and general musical application, as well as increased confidence and self-discipline.
Choral Scholarships
These will be awarded on the basis of achievement, in three stages:
First (probationary) year:
$1 per attendance
From the start of the second year:
$2 per attendance
From gaining the Red Ribbon:
Award as a full Chorister
$3 per attendance
These payments are made on the Sunday before Christmas each year.
In addition the same amounts will be set aside as a gratuity to be paid to
the chorister on completion of secondary school education.
Time Commitment
The Cathedral Choir is on duty from the beginning of the school year to Christmas Day morning, with breaks in the
three school holidays. Easter is a busy and important time for the Choir, and choristers need to be available then.
The weekly pattern is:
Thursday
4 - 5pm
Junior Choristers practice
Thursday
5.15 - 6.45pm
Full Choir practice with lower parts
Sunday
10am
Service (rehearsal at 9am)
Sunday
6pm
Service (rehearsal at 5pm)
The Cathedral Junior Choir offers an opportunity for musical children to excel in choral music, singing music as difficult
as that done by adults, and striving to attain the same standard. It is an excellent training ground in musical and
personal skills. The voice is the most natural and expressive of all instruments. Singing in a Cathedral Choir is
following in the steps of such famous composers as Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Purcell, Boyce and Walton, all of whom were Cathedral Choristers.
