GIRLS and boys interested in joining Salisbury Cathedral Choir can audition in the new year.

The auditions are open to children in school years 3 and 4 and will be held on January 18 for boys and February 1 for girls.

David Halls, director of music, said: “Becoming a cathedral chorister is a great opportunity for a musically talented child and the auditions are always an exciting time.

“I am particularly keen to attract boys and girls from the local community and diocese and I’m very happy to meet children informally to sing to me and receive individual advice on how best to prepare for audition.

“We don’t expect to hear a fully trained voice but a child should have a ‘good ear’ and a desire to be part of the team. As we say to parents, ‘give us the raw article and we will do the training’.”

The choristers rehearse and sing most days during term-time and there are lots of opportunities and rewards. Between them, the boy and girl choristers sing the nine regular cathedral services each week, give concerts in the diocese, record CDs, take part in radio and TV broadcasts, sing at special services and events in the cathedral and tour overseas.

All the choristers are educated at the Cathedral School and are automatically given choral scholarships worth 30 per cent of the fees by the cathedral.

Parents can apply for specialist meanstested bursaries to further assist financially.

For more information or to book into the voice trials call 07979 378926 or email choris ter.recruitment@sal cath.co.uk.