Be a Chorister for a Day

The event is open to pupils, external and internal, who are currently in the following year groups: Years 2, 3, 4 & 5

11h00: Sign-in (for 11h15 start) at Exeter Cathedral. Please allow extra time to get into the city centre – Exeter Carnival will be taking place on this day and we are expecting heavier traffic than usual.

16h00: Performance. Parents/guardians are encouraged to return at this time to watch the performance.

16h45: Event finishes

We are not accepting bookings for children below Year 2.

Bookings will close roughly one week before the event.

Smart/casual.

We’d recommend parking in The Cathedral and Quay Car Park.

A clearly named water bottle. Lunch and an afternoon snack, which will both include a drink, will be provided.

Yes!

We are conducting the following to ensure the utmost safety of each child during the event:

• Risk assessment
• High-vis jackets for each attendee
• Named badges
• Attendees each allocated colour-coded groups of 10-12 pupils per group
• Medical forms required before attending event
• Chaperones and dedicated staff to escort attendees between the cathedral and school buildings (a creative activity will take place in one of Exeter Cathedral School’s buildings)
• Trained first aiders
• Defibrillator on Kalendarhay Lane
• Defibrillator inside Exeter Cathedral

Be a Chorister for a Day is intended to be a fun day for children to experience being a Chorister. There is no obligation to apply for Voice Trials and to become a Chorister at Exeter Cathedral School.

No, children do not have to attend a ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’ event to submit an application for Voice Trials.

You will have the opportunity to submit your official application for Voice Trials 2024, should you wish.

Voice Trials for external pupils: Saturday 27 January 2024

Voice Trials for internal pupils: Saturday 3 February 2024

New entrants to the Choir are admitted as Probationers: they receive specialist musical and voice training, attend Cathedral services and occasionally sing with the Cathedral Choir. The length of the probationary period is not fixed; it varies according to the age of the Probationer and how quickly he or she learns the repertoire. When they are ready, Probationers are installed as full Choristers.

All Choristerships are offered on the understanding that children remain in the Choir and at the School until they reach the normal age of leaving – the end of Year 8 (13+). In addition to the Cathedral Scholarship, each Chorister/Probationer receives free instrumental tuition on one musical instrument and some voice coaching.

At the age of thirteen, pupils move on to a range of leading senior schools. The School has a proven record of scholarship success to many senior schools and a number of senior staff are in place to advise families on the next steps. Often, Exeter Cathedral Choristers receive offers of music scholarships/awards to a number of top senior schools.