Gloucester Cathedral Choir

Gloucester Cathedral Choir has existed for almost 500 years. The choir sings six services each week in term time as well as regular concerts and broadcasts

Gloucester Cathedral Choir has existed for almost 500 years; nine centuries ago the boys and monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, Gloucester, sang for daily worship. Today’s choir stems from that established by Henry VIII in 1539 and consists of 20 boys (choristers) and 12 adults (Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars).

The choir sings six services each week in term time, major carol services at Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Once or twice a year the choir sings live on BBC Radio 3, and they regularly take part in concerts with other prestigious choirs and orchestras. The choir are also part of the annual Three Choirs Festival, one of the world’s oldest music festivals, held annually in Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford in rotation.

In September 2016 the cathedral welcomed 20 new girl choristers to form an additional part of the choral foundation. The girls, now in their first full year as Cathedral Choristers, will sing a weekly service each Monday during term time and from time to time on a Saturday afternoon. They also sing at high profile services over Christmas and Easter, as well as events in the diocese.

In addition to this, Gloucester Cathedral has thriving junior and youth choirs, allowing children and young people of all ages to be part of the musical life of the cathedral.

The Junior Choir was formed in 2011 with the aim of giving girls and boys the opportunity to be part of the musical worship of the Cathedral. Open to children aged 6-13, they perform at every second Sunday Eucharist of each month, at termly concerts and at major events throughout the Church year.

The Youth Choir was founded in 1999 and is made up of talented young singers aged 13-19 from schools and colleges all around Gloucestershire. The choir meets twice a week during school term to rehearse after school on a Monday and Thursday, and sings Evensong every Thursday. They also participate at other major services during the Church year.