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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | 4.30 - 5.15pm | Junior Choristers practice |
| 5.15 - 6.45pm | Full Choir practice with lower parts | |
| Sunday | 10am | Service (rehearsal at 9am) |
| 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.
For further information, please contact the Cathedral office