Be a Girl Chorister For a Day - and beyond!

Truro Cathedral is delighted to extend an invitation to their ‘Be a Girl Chorister for a Day’ event to all girls in Years 7 and 8 who like singing, and especially those who may be interested in applying for a chorister scholarship.  

The chorister programme is run jointly by the cathedral and Truro School, and provides a world class musical opportunity here in Cornwall.  

All of Truro Cathedral’s choristers are educated at Truro School. They each receive 25% scholarships and are eligible for means-tested additional support for their five years in Truro Cathedral Choir (ending as they leave Upper Sixth). Girls have to pass Truro School’s entrance exam, but beyond that selection is based purely on musical ability. Girls apply to be choristers when they are in Year 8, in order to begin as they enter Year 9.  

The ‘Be a Girl Chorister for a Day’ event, on Tuesday 9 November, gives girls the chance to experience life as a chorister, starting with their 8am morning rehearsal and then a normal school day, ending with the opportunity to sing Evensong with Truro Cathedral Choir.  

Truro Cathedral has had choristers at its beating heart since opening its doors in 1887. As well as upholding that unbroken tradition, the choristers represent Cornwall’s arts scene on an international stage, with live broadcasts on television and radio, and recordings with some of the UK’s leading orchestras. In addition, the choristers take part in special projects such as Grenfell: From Today, Sing2G7 and Britain’s Got Talent. Their new CD of Christmas music, recorded in May, will be released in the run-up to Christmas; and over half term they will be singing at Wells Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and New College Oxford. After Christmas they will record a CD with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. 

Chris Gray, Director of Music at Truro Cathedral: “What the choristers achieve on a daily basis is extraordinary. There are few areas of life in which young people still at school can achieve professional standards, but that is exactly what our choristers do. Working as part of a close team, they bring a level of focus and passion to their singing that is constantly inspiring. Being a chorister can be a life-changing and life-enhancing experience.” 

The benefits of becoming a chorister at Truro Cathedral are huge, including taking part in live broadcasts, CD recordings, and foreign tours, scholarships and bursaries to support education at Truro School, and performing with an outstanding choir directed by specialist professional musicians in one of the South West’s finest buildings. 

Previous ‘Be a Girl Chorister for a Day’ events have inspired many to apply over the years, and for others it is just a great day of singing at a very high level with a wonderful group of musicians. 

Sofie Palmer is a chorister in the Sixth Form at Truro School. She says of her role, “Being a chorister is an amazing experience that I will fondly look back on for the rest of my life. I’ve been fortunate to have sung in some incredible venues, including St Paul’s Cathedral. Between the brilliant music and one-to-one training, I’ve been able to build on my musical talent.” 

Any girl currently in Year 8 can apply to be a chorister, regardless of academic background and faith. Girls start in the choir as they enter Year 9 in September following their audition. 

For more information and to book a place, please email admissions@truroschool.com.