Cathedral gets set to usher in new era for choristers

Plans have been announced to ensure choristers maintain their role at the heart of music and worship at Ripon Cathedral and to open up opportunities for more children.

The thousand-year-old choral foundation is to continue in a new form following the recent closure of the cathedral 's choir school. 

The vision is to provide equal opportunities for girls and boys and to develop the choir's educational and musical role in the city and wider community. Proposals are being discussed with parents of choristers.

The cathedral is proposing to remodel the choir through a new foundation with 24 boy and 24 girl choristers. Choristers can be pupils from any school in Ripon and the surrounding area, opening up the possibility of being in the choir to many more children.

COACHING
The six existing professional lay clerks will continue to provide the choir's adult voices, while the director and assistant director of music will continue to manage and direct. This training will include vocal and musical coaching.

Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend Keith Jukes, said: "This fresh vision enables us to build on and, indeed, improve the cathedral's standing as a centre of choral excellence."

Director of music Andrew Bryden said: "We are lucky to have the most enthusiastic choristers one could wish for and I am confident of their ability to rise to new challenges and to lead the new choristers who will join us as we shape the choir's future."

The cathedral welcomes enquiries about becoming a chorister. Further information is available by contacting  Andrew Bryden. Tel: 01765 603496 or email: andrewbryden@riponcathedral.org.uk