Chorister Application Information
Becoming a Chorister January of Year 3 – Auditions held at St Peter’s School
J1 (8-13) – Probationer Year Rehearsals Tuesday – Friday, 8-9am at St Peter’s 8-13 in the Music School. Concert in the Minster at the end of the Summer Term (1st week of Summer holiday).
J2 – The Probationers are read into the full choir in a special service at the Minster at the start of the academic year.
J2-5 – Full chorister role.
A Typical Weekday Mondays - no singing Tuesday- Friday 8-9am – Rehearse in the Music School at 8-13 9am-4pm – Normal school day at 8-13 4pm – Once a week snack at school followed by a rehearsal until 5.15pm
4pm – At least twice a week snack is followed by a walk to the Minster with chaperones, rehearsal until Evensong 5.30pm Evensong until 6.30pm. (The chorister’s belongings are taken to the Minster for them).
A Typical Weekend Saturday school at 8-13, 8.25am-12pm 3.45pm – One choir (split girls and boys) rehearse then sing Evensong.
9am Sunday Morning – the same choir sing Matins and Eucharist finishing at 12pm. 2.45pm Sunday afternoon – the other choir rehearse and then sing Evensong.
Important Events
Christmas week including the Christmas Day service
Holy week at Easter
Whilst most of the services fall inside our regular term time, there will be some occasions where the choristers are singing at the Minster during our school holidays.
Amazing Opportunities The chance to work with an amazing team.
The opportunity to go on tour and to make professional recordings.
Our choristers are resilient and disciplined young people who work as professional musicians.
Being a chorister opens doors for life.
Audition Process Auditions will take place in January External candidates may apply here: https://www.stpetersyork.org.uk/admissions/applytoday Voice trial with:Mr Robert Sharpe (Director of Music York Minster) Mrs Hayden (Director of Music St Peter’s 2-8) Mrs Craven (Director of Music St Peter’s 8-13).
Voice Trial First verse of Away in a Manger (this will be accompanied on the piano by Mr Sharpe). Sing back single notes played on the piano to lah Sing back the upper or lower notes from two played together, on the piano moving to three notes picking the top, middle and lower note Clap back a rhythm which is played twice Sing back a melody which is played twice. An informal chat to find out why the child would like to become a chorister.
Pastoral support At 8-13 every child has a staff mentor
Mrs Craven is the link between the Minster and the school Weekly meetings between the Minster, Mrs Craven and staff mentors to support our choristers’ wellbeing.
Financial Support The Minster contribute 60% of the fees for all our choristers from J1 to the end of J5.
Questions If you have any questions about how to apply to become a chorister please contact s.bath@stpetersyork.org.uk
For any questions relating to the commitment involved, or the audition process Mrs Craven h.craven@stpetersyork.org.uk.org.ukorg.uk