Six new choristers have been admitted to Salisbury Cathedral’s boys’ choir with the age-old “bumping” ceremony.

Edward Parker, Samuel Jarvis, Cassius Wade, Oscar Salomon, George Johnson and Jacob Watson were welcomed to the choir by fellow choristers after Evensong on Sunday, September 24. “Bumping” takes place in the South Quire Aisle opposite the Vestry. Each chorister takes his turn to have his head gently bumped seven times on the “bumping stone” while the assembled boys choir chant a welcome.

No one knows where this tradition comes from, or how long it has been part of chorister admission or, indeed, whether the stone was specially carved for “bumping” or has been worn away by heads over the centuries.

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This year’s new Cathedral choristers are not only singers but are also learning at least one or two other instruments including piano, trombone, double bass, violin and trumpet, making good use of the excellent music teaching available at the Cathedral school.

Established choristers, Harry Mills, Logan Broom, Luke Anderson-Diaper and George Gostick, were promoted to senior choristers during the same service.

David Halls, director of music, said: “It is great to welcome such a strong cohort into the choir, with excellent seniors to encourage and support them. English Cathedrals are the custodians of an important choral tradition that singers like these boys are helping us to maintain. It is a form of music that is particular to our history and legacy and it would be a shame if it were ever to be lost.”

Two new girls, Rose Howarth and Venetia Sturgeon, will be admitted to the girls choir next Sunday, October 1 during Evensong. The two new girl choristers will be ‘bumped’ in a ceremony that is modelled on the boys but takes place in the Trinity Chapel and involves a very large prayer book.

Venetia joins her sister Allegra, who is already a chorister. Allegra will be promoted to senior chorister during the same service, along with fellow choristers Amelia Parker, Mollie Johnson, and Cecilia Davies. 

David Halls Director of Music said: “It is great to welcome such a strong cohort into the choir, with excellent seniors to encourage and support them. English Cathedrals are the custodians of an important choral tradition that singers like these boys are helping us to maintain. It is a form of music that is particular to our history and legacy and it would be a shame if it were ever to be lost.”