Special Evensong for Boy Choristers -

Henry Cooper will be made Head Chorister and five probationers made up to full choristers in a special ceremony during Evensong at 3pm on Sunday 23 May.

David Halls, Director of Music, said: “A new post of Head Chorister has been created for Henry, in addition to the post of Bishop’s Chorister which is still held by William McDonald. This is due reward for Henry’s ongoing leadership of the choir and will give Henry the authority he deserves within the boys’ choir.”

The five boys being made up to full choristers are Alexander Halls, Nicolas Fletcher, Benjamin Harding, Alexander Tan and Joss Nelson.

Venus and Adonis -

Some of the girl choristers have been invited to sing in a re-creation of the first performance of John Blow’s famous masque Venus and Adonis (1682) in two high-profile concerts this month, at the Wigmore Hall on 3 May and Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton on 4 May.

Liz Kenny, one of Europe’s leading lute players, is putting on the performances with young female voices singing parts which in ‘modern’ performances are taken by boys.

The girls will make up the chorus of ‘Little Cupids’ for both performances and Rebecca Lyles (Precentor’s Chorister) will sing the young soprano solo role in the Southampton performance.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the girls to use their musical skills in a slightly different way.

New York Beckons -

Grace Beverley (Dean’s Chorister) has been invited to participate in a prestigious course for girl choristers this summer at St Thomas’ Church, New York.

Two distinguished female Organists and Directors of Music, Sarah Baldock and Sarah MacDonald, share the musical direction of the course. Both hold prestigious positions in the United Kingdom and are mentors and role models in every way for the young women who participate in the course.