Many congratulations to Bella S, Form 5, who was made a full chorister at Guildford Cathedral on Easter Sunday. Due to national restrictions, her probationary period was out of the ordinary with many commitments moving online, but she enjoyed taking part in rehearsals via Zoom, and recording herself at home to make up virtual choirs.
More recently Bella was able to sing in socially distanced choirs in the Cathedral. She is now a full chorister and has gained a scholarship to support her vocal studies.
The girl choristers of the Cathedral Choir are educated at a variety of schools throughout the local area. They rehearse at the cathedral weekly during which time they also receive vocal training from a visiting singing teacher. They sing Choral Evensong every Friday and have one Sunday duty each week. There are also duties at Christmas and Easter.
The main activity of the choir is the maintenance of regular sung services, but in the last few years the girls have also toured to France and Italy, have made a CD recording, sung live on BBC Radio 3 and have performed in many concerts.
Many choristers go on to pursue careers in music, and all benefit from the experience of teamwork and sense of achievement the choir gives them; in particular, ex-choristers often go on to achieve music scholarships and other choral awards at universities.
Ruth Williams, Head of Prep School Music, says ”A huge well done to Bella. She has a beautiful voice and so thoroughly deserves this wonderful accolade. We wish her all the best for this exciting venture as a chorister.”
