Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir
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Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir is almost unique among English Cathedrals in having a Voluntary Choir of the same make-up as the Cathedral Choir - that of boys and men. The Choir was established in October 1874, and currently is made up of around 20 boys and 18 men. The current Choirmaster is Christopher Allsop, who is the assistant organist at the Cathedral.
The boys currently range in age from 6 to 14 and come from a wide variety of schools and backgrounds, both in and outside Worcestershire. The boys rehearse on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the gentlemen join them on Fridays.
The choristers are trained to be proficient and confident musicians, and to perform to a professional standard, while taking part in the wonderful English Choral Tradition. They learn to work together as a team, and develop skills that will help them at school and in their future lives.
The Choir normally sings the 6.30pm Sunday service, or occasionally one of the other Sunday services. At certain times of the year the Choir sings special services including the Christmas Midnight Eucharist and Carol Services, and also regularly joins with the Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Chamber Choir.
In recent years the Choir has made its second CD - How lovely are thy dwellings - on the Regent label, has broadcast on BBC Radio, performs regularly at the annual Festival of Cathedral Voluntary Choirs, and makes regular visits to sing in other Cathedrals and Churches.
Bursaries for musical instrument lessons are available, and all the boys receive pocket money for their hard work! The Choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music, and boys are regularly RSCM award holders.
For a number of years some of the older boys have enthusiastically attended the Morland Chorister Camp in the Lake District. The Choir enjoys an active social life. There are regular events for the boys such as bowling and cinema outings as well as the Christmas party and events for choir families as well as functions which also involve the men of the Choir and members of the Cathedral clergy and congregation. Parents are often able to catch up with each other while the choir rehearses. The boys are still able to take a full part in all aspects of school life - choir holidays and half-terms coincide as far as possible with school holidays, with extra duties mainly at Easter and Christmas.
