DETAILS OF ADMISSION &CONDITIONS
OF CHORAL SCHOLARSHIPS
for Voice Trials in 2017
THE GIRL CHORISTERS OF SALISBURY CATHEDRAL CHOIR
The girl choristers became part of the Cathedral’s Foundation in September 1991. There are usually sixteen choristers and four probationers (learner choristers). They work independently of the boy choristers, singing four or five of the Cathedral’s regular nine services each week, one by themselves and the others with the men of the choir, the Lay Vicars.
All choristers are expected to remain in the choir until the end of Year 8. They are educated at SalisburyCathedralSchool where the majority of pupils transfer to senior schools at 13+.
The School and the Cathedral will give every assistance to prospective parents to find out about the life of a chorister including Be a Chorister for a Day, Informal Voice Trials and a Voice Trial Workshop. Parents entering their child for a voice trial should be in a position to accept any offer of a place in the choir by finding out as much as they can before the day of the voice trial. They should visit the school and talk to the Head Master and have understood the commitment involved and the impact it will have on their family life.
All BACFAD enquiries should be directed
VOICE TRIALS
Voice Trials are the singing auditions held annually bythe Director of Music and his colleagues at Salisbury Cathedral to recruit girl choristers. They take place on a Saturday early in February. A girl coming to audition should preferably be in school Years 3 or 4, but older girls may sometimes be considered. Candidates should have good aural skills and show promise of a good voice. They will sing a prepared piece of their own choice - a hymn, carol, anthem or song - and be asked to sing scales and given ear tests based on those used by the Associated Board. They will also be asked to read aloud a short passage from a book.Should they play an instrument, they will have the opportunity to play a piece to the CathedralSchool’s Director of Music. If they play more than one instrument, they will have the opportunity to play a piece on each.
The school is academically non-selective. Prospective choristers are assessed in English, Mathematics and Reading to establish the candidate’s suitability for the chorister lifestyle and to identify any specific learning needs.
During the voice trial day you will also meet the Head Master, House Parents and other key members of staff. Parents may attend Evensongat 5.30pm(finishing c 6.15pm) with their daughter. Lunch and tea are provided for both children and parents.
PROBATIONERS
If your daughter is offered a place in the choir, she will become a probationer, usually beginning at the start of the September term. Probationers are usually admitted as full choristers after one year’s training.
CONDITIONS
Parents are contracted to keep their daughter in the choir and school until the conclusion of the academic year in which she reaches her thirteenth birthday (end of Year 8). The Cathedral Chapter will retain her as a chorister during that time subject to the recommendation of the Director of Music at the Cathedral and the Head Master of the CathedralSchool.
DUTIES
The girl choristers sing four or five services regularly each week and other special services as required. They rehearse every day except Thursday. They give concerts in the diocese, broadcast on TV and radio, record CDs and may go on choir tours. The choristers (but not probationers) remain at theCathedralSchool after term ends to sing services up to Christmas Day, Easter Day and the final Sunday of the annual Southern Cathedrals Festival in July.
CHORISTER SCHOLARSHIPS
The Cathedral Chapter awards scholarships to all probationers and choristers. For all new probationers and choristers entering the school, the value of the chorister scholarship will be equal to 30% of the prevailing Salisbury Cathedral School prep day fee.
BURSARIES
Probationers and choristers may also apply to various external trust funds for additional financial assistance with school fees. In addition, they can apply for assistance from the school’s restricted funds towards peripatetic fees or the Choral Foundation. All bursaries are awarded on a Means Tested basis. Families who anticipate that they may require bursarial support will be contacted by the Director of Administration of the Cathedral School on application. All bursaries are subject to annual review.
It is also expected that chorister parents will make a financial contribution to the cost of any choir tours.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE CHOIR
From the Cathedral’s Director of Music:Department of Liturgy & Music
Wyndham House, 65 The Close
Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EN
Telephone: 01722 555125
From the Chorister Recruitment Officer:
Telephone: 07979378926
From the School’s Director of Administration:
Salisbury Cathedral School
1 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EQ Telephone: 01722 555302
APPLICATION FORM FOR VOICE TRIAL
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL GIRL CHORISTERS
Saturday 4th February 2017
PLEASE WRITE IN BLOCK CAPITALS
Full name of candidate:Date of birth:
Current school year:
Parents names:
Address:
Home telephone number:
Mobile number:
Email address:
Father’s occupation:
Mother’s occupation:
Present school address:
Name of Head:
(a brief report will be requested)
School telephone number:
School email address:
Instruments learned:
Recent music exams passed and marks:
Has your daughter had any experience of choral singing?
Has your daughter had any ear problems (grommets/glue ear)
Has your daughter any history of speech problems and/or ever received specialist speech therapy?
Are there any other medical conditions that you think we should know about?
Do you anticipate that you will require further financial assistance in addition to the Chorister Scholarship?
If she is awarded a choral scholarship, I understand that my daughter will join Salisbury Cathedral School and remain as a chorister until the completion of Year 8 (i.e. the end of the academic year in which she has his thirteenth birthday).
Signature of parent: ______
Date: ______
When completed please return this form together with two passport sized photographs of your daughter no later than Thursday 26th January to:
Kathy Davies, Chorister Recruitment
Salisbury Cathedral School
1 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2EQ
Email:
Telephone Number: 07979378926