HISTORIC changes to the chorister programme at the King’s School, Worcester and Worcester Cathedral have been revealed.
Not only will boys and girls now take an equal share in choristership, but girls will now join from a younger age and, like the boys, have access to scholarships at King’s Worcester. Choristers have been educated exclusively at The King’s School since the Refoundation by Henry VIII in 1541, with each chorister receiving a choral scholarship towards their fees.
The girl choristers were established in 2006 and are currently accepted from Year 7 and play an important part in cathedral worship. The choristership consists of separate boy and girl choirs who sing weekly at Evensong and contribute to other services throughout the year.
This significant new scheme seeks to build on the inclusion of girls, by opening up the choristership opportunity to girls from Year 4 in September 2021, plus sees them take an equal share in weekly chorister commitments. Girl choristers will also receive a fee remission and all choristers attend King’s St Alban’s school, followed by the senior school, King’s Worcester.
This important step presents an equal opportunity for boys and girls of all ages to have access to outstanding musical training at Worcester Cathedral, alongside a first-class education at The King’s School Worcester. The first places to be offered will be two girls in both Years 7 and 8 for September 2021, increasing over the next 3 years to incorporate younger girl choristers down to Year 4.
King’s St Alban’s sits adjacent to Worcester Cathedral, its close proximity ensuring a seamless flow between chorister commitments and school life. Academic provision is the foundation of the school, but of equal importance is their focus on growing a wide range of life-skills which the choristership journey encompasses. The King’s School is a nurturing and inclusive community, with a strong emphasis on offering opportunities which allow all children to shine and make the best of their innate potential.
Richard Chapman, Head of King’s St Alban’s, said: “We are delighted and welcome this exciting change in that choristership now reflects the equality that King’s St Alban’s is passionate about. I am thrilled that our Cathedral Choir is already open to both boys and girls and that from September, children of all ages will benefit from both world-class choral training and a first-rate education at our school. It’s a significant commitment to be a chorister and a wonderful opportunity. Choristers enjoy a stimulating and nurturing experience, develop a whole raft of skills, often go on to successful careers in many fields and develop a life-long passion for music.”
The Dean, the Very Rev’d Dr Peter Atkinson said: “I am delighted that we are now able to make this very significant step forward, giving the girls of the Cathedral Choir the same opportunity as the boys, and at the same time opening up fresh opportunities for children and young people right across the local community. The Cathedral Chapter is very grateful to the Governors and Headmaster of The King’s School for their support for this, which will benefit the Cathedral, King’s, and the City.”
