Lincoln Cathedral Choir Association

More about being a Chorister...

The Choir exists first of all to play an important part in leading worship to the Glory of God. At the same time, the priorities of  those leading the Choir are the welfare of  the choristers, and the development of their musical skills. Being a chorister is an ideal background for later success in a musical career. The years spent as a chorister provide each girl or boy with invaluable musical training and the experience of being part of a dedicated, professional group of musicians. Very few children have this opportunity for developing musical excellence, and choristers are rightly proud of their achievements.

As members of the Lincoln Cathedral Choir, choristers develop their singing ability while learning a wide variety of choral music. They assist in leading the worship, learn to work as a team, and widen their own musical experience with individual singing and instrumental lessons.

As Probationers, they learn basic vocal technique (including breathing, voice production and phrasing), begin learning music theory, and develop aural skills. They are introduced to the liturgical context of the music, learn how to read and point psalms, and follow a conductor's beat. Once these skills begin to develop, probationers are able to start joining in with singing some musical items. Probationers have have half-hour practice sessions away from the full choir on some weekday mornings. Regular testing and informal progress assessment occurs during these practices. In additional to weekly individual half hour singing lessons, music theory is taught once a week in group lessons (working towards Associated Board Examinations).

When the Director of Music decides that a Probationer is ready to be "made up" to full chorister status, a "reading in" ceremony is scheduled into Saturday Evensong. This is an emotional experience, both for children and parents, as all the hard work finally comes to fruition, and the new choristers take their places as full members of the Choir. (Girl probationers become "Choristers" and boy probationers (for historical reasons) become "Chanters".)

Choristers and Chanters further develop their skills in Teamwork and Leadership. They learn to be independent musicians in their own right, as well as how to integrate well into a team. Their perception grows in the areas of blending and balancing, awareness of other parts being sung, appreciation of diction, vowel sounds, exact placing of consonants, and shaping of musical phrases. They develop their vocal technique and understand the demands of singing loud and soft, and high and low. They also learn to care for their robes, music and books.

As choristers gain in confidence, they may be given opportunities for singing solo verses, and in time, as they become more senior members of the choir, they assist with supporting new probationers and younger choristers.

At any one time there may be up to eight choristers (four boys and four girls) who are awarded the title of "Cope". Cope girls and cope boys have demonstrated a high standard of musical skill as well as leadership abilities. They are leaders of their fellow choristers, both musically and behaviorally; - their dress and conduct must always be an example to the other choristers. Copes meet once each half-term with the Conductors and Heads of School to discuss any problem and plan for the future. Each term they have a tea party or dinner as acknowledgment of their important contribution. (Again for historical reasons, cope boys are actually known as "choristers".)

As Christmas, Holy Week and Easter always fall after the end of the school term, the Choristers stay on to sing during these services, although the boys and girls often alternate services, so that the work load is not as demanding as it may at first appear.  The school and Cathedral make arrangements suitable for each occasion, providing meals and supervision as needed.

In addition to singing in the Cathedral, the Choir undertakes regular trips to other venues, both in this country and abroad. Annual BBC broadcasts and CD recordings are also a part of the Choir's activities.

The musical life of a chorister at Lincoln is very full, and the commitment is substantial, both for children and their parents. The rewards, though, are even greater, and the years spent as a chorister are probably the best musical foundation a child can have.