Chorister boarders

[Choristerquery]

Does anyone have any experience of their DC becoming boarding choristers? Would love to ask you a few questions. Thanks!

It’s something we investigated. (In the end it wouldn’t have suited the child in question.)

It seems an incredibly busy and hardworking life - one which would only work for a child who really, really wanted to do it and had the intellectual and organisational capacity to take it in their stride.

Have you visited any schools yet? You really need to compare it with attending a state day school but singing for, say, a cathedral, and with attending any boarding prep and singing in the school choir.

What I can say is that the majority of professional musicians I know began life as choristers - so it can provide a wider basis for adult life than just singing.

Thanks @Gruelle. Yes we're considering one specifically which requires boarding. DS is the right personality I think (and is obsessed with singing!) but it's hard to be sure of course so it's a leap of faith. He's at a prep now where he flexi boards. Completely his choice - his brother doesn't so I'm there picking him up anyway and he could come home with me if he wanted but never does! He just loves being with his mates and all the activities they have in the evening. Flexi obviously not the same as proper boarding though.

Hampshire, by any chance?

Our child quickly realised they didn’t care enough about singing! And it was a bit too distant to be convenient. They thrived in one of the Oxford boarding preps where even without joining the choir they had plenty of singing in chapel every day.

Sorry my posts are short on detail - it was over a decade ago so my memory is hazy. Choose the school you all fall in love with. And go in with your eyes open.

@Choristerquery, my DS was a boarding chorister. An amazing experience and a fantastic musical education. I'd say if your DS is already happy flexi-boarding, that's a good indication he'd suit choir life as a boarder. Happy to answer any questions you have.

Thanks so much both. I've sent you a PM @Vaduz Hope that's ok 🙂