The Choristers - Open Day Information

The Prebendal School has been the choir school of Chichester Cathedral for well over five hundred years and has educated the choristers who help to maintain the choral tradition in the daily round of worship for which English Cathedrals are justly famous throughout the world. Chichester Choir usually has eighteen boys, full Choristers and Probationers, and they are educated at The Prebendal School. They enter the school, after a voice trial, on choral scholarships.

During term time they sing Evensong on every night of the week except Wednesday as well as at Sunday services. In addition to this they take part in special services, concerts, broadcasts and foreign tours.

As well as singing in the Cathedral, the Choristers take a full and active part in the life of the school. They play in school sports teams, take part in school productions and concerts and a member of staff acts as Chorister Tutor to keep an eye on their academic development.

Voice trials for choristerships take place once a year, usually on a Saturday in January. On these occasions, candidates usually sit some assessment tests in the school and sing an audition piece for the Organist and Master of the Choristers; however, the Organist is pleased to hear from the parents of potential choristers at any time during the year.