A day in the life of a Portsmouth Chorister...

The Choristers' day starts early with a rehearsal before school starts. The boys arrive at the cathedral Song School from as far away as Emsworth and Liss in time for an 8am practice to rehearse music for one of the Cathedral's seven musical services per week.

The boys rehearse on four days before school, as well as before every service at which they sing. In addition the Cathedral provides vocal coaching from Dr Charles MacDougall (a member of voces8). The Cathedral also contributes towards the cost of their instrumental lessons. All this ensures an all round musical education that invests in their academic and musical future.

We try and ensure that have plenty of fun together, and at busy times of the year (such as Christmas and Easter) the boys are taken to the cinema, bowling as well as occasional trips around the Dockyard and aboard serving ships of HM Royal Navy.

At the end of the school day on Tuesdays and Fridays, the boys return to the Cathedral to prepare for Evensong. The boys have to learn and respond fast, for every service they sing is made of up to five different pieces of music. As a result, the boys learn to read well, understand prose and sing in English, Latin, French, German and Russian to name but a few.

The boys are joined by professional musicians who sing the other parts in the choir. The boys are treated as full team members in this and in return learn to work, behave and perform in a professional and exacting manner.

They also have a great deal of fun!

Think about the things that are true and honourable and right and
pure and beautiful and respected…And the God who gives peace will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9