Audition at Cathedral schools (London) - what to expect?

[schooling123]

please can I ask advice on what to expect in such auditions? Has anybody got their DS in such schools? How did you introduce an idea of an audition at a boarding school to your DS? Thank you.

DS auditioned for one of the London cathedral choir schools a few years ago.

The first stage was an informal advice audition with the musical director. DS sang a song, did some vocal exercises to test his range and basic aural exercises to test musicality, and played a piece on his instrument. The director talked to us about what being in the choir involved. It was very relaxed and we did no specific preparation (though I've since heard that some children are prepared quite intensively for such auditions).

On the strength of the informal audition, DS was offered a voice trial. The format was much the same as the initial audition, but more formal, with several of the choir's musical staff in attendance. The process included academic tests and a trial lesson with a class, and we had a tour of the boarding house.

The idea of boarding was introduced in terms of living at school during the week; probationers went home at weekends but once made up to full choristers they remained at school over the weekend as well.

It's a big commitment for the child and family, but a fantastic experience for the right child and the musical education is second to none. I've known a number of children in such schools, and my impression is that the "right child" is one who is driven by a genuine passion for music rather than just a love of performing.

thank you

I think you need to approach it as a mutual exploration rather than an opportunity you are desperate for him to have. It is as much about are they the right place for him as is he suitable for them.
It's normally pretty informal and friendly, as it should be as the boys are very young. If it seems scary then I wouldn't want them in charge of my son.
Does he want this? What are his interests and passions? Will he still be able to do: sport, drama or other instruments?
There are great choirs for boys in London which don't require boarding too.

They are looking for raw talent and trainability, not a finished product (they want to train in their own way and to suit their acoustic).

What other choir schools that do not require to board? Which cathedrals have choirs just for sunday services ( not school based)?

Which cathedrals have choirs just for sunday services ( not school based)?

www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk/cathedral-choirs.html

Given the rehearsal / weekday service commitment, you would hsve to move to, or near to, Chelmsford, though.

Cathedrals aren't just for Sundays. If you just want to hear your DS sing in a religious setting once a week, perhaps investigate a few parish churches in your area?

Does your DS actually want to be a chorister. If not then don't push him into it.

Southwark, Guildford and St Albans

I was also going to suggest Southwark. Also some London churches such as Temple and also there is Chapel Royal I think? Or are those choristers provided by City of London School? Is trying for CLS an option OP? There's also London Oratory juniors which provides choristers for the Brompton Oratory, as well as a very good boys' choir at Cardinal Vaughan School, but those are both Catholic. I'm going to take my boys to a chorister experience day next year as we have family connections to a London cathedral and I'd like them to explore it. They'd have to really want it though as it's definitely a full on whole family commitment - a new way of life really.

I am reluctant about encouraging my ds along this route as it takes up so much time that I am worried he might do less well academically and musically ( on his instruments) as a result. In our case, a possible music scholarship to senior school would not influence our choice for secondary, as we wouldn't be eligible for a top up bursary. So even if he won a scholarship for Eton or similar (the bait the school dangles in front of prospective choiristers and their parents), we couldn't afford to send him. So I'd rather see him study for the local selective day option, but we will see how determined he is.

Umm being a Chorister can be a very valuable experience, and the boys at my local Cathedral still learn instruments and play in the sports teams. It can be done. And it is a fabulous training in of itself (and wonderful experience).
There was a survey once that ex-chorister's tended to have higher salaries. Although that wasn't so true of ex-Head Choristers, presumably because they were likely to be more musical and to go into musical careers. It does teach time management at a young age.

I know ex-choiristers who managed to exceed academically, write their own software that was to transform the music industry and start up a multimillion pound business while still in school/Oxbridge. I guess that this shows that being a choirister can stretch and inspire the most able. But if a child needs more time for study/extra help/ enjoys downtime and just hanging out with friends, they might find it a gruesome experience that stops them from thriving. It really depends on the child. Unfortunately I have met some dc who were incredibly homesick and really angry and jaded, feeling as if their parents have sent them down the mine to earn the money for their supposedly better education. And some loved it. I genuinely am torn on whether to wish it on my child or not. I think if a dc genuinely is enthusiastic about the prospect, learns easily, and there would be a financial advantage, it is surely a great opportunity. But if they can get the same musical and academic education without the 25 hours of singing and boarding commitment, I would prefer that. I assume the choiristers OP things about will sing at Christmas and tour extensively during the holidays? I find the prospect of boarding at 7 hard, but boarding over Christmas and spending most of the summer holidays in China or the US? I would be heartbroken.

Not all Chorister's board. And even with tours they get plenty of Vacation time. But it does depend on the child and the exact school/Cathedral.

@NellyBarney I agree I'm also torn. Plan at the moment is to take DS to a chorister experience day at the cathedral where we have a family member and which he is therefore familiar with. It wouldn't be until 2020 when he's the right age though. I just have no idea how you know your child will truly love the life without actually trying it you know? You can have an idea but actually living it is the only way to really know. But by the time they're living it it's a bit tricky to just walk away, though we of course would if it wasn't working.

I've also known a whole generation of boarding choristers who had very positive experiences and maintained strong family relationships. Also went on to do great and interesting things across many industries. I almost wish I'd known some who hated it so I could have seen both sides!

I assume that's what the probationar's year is for. That they can change their mind. After that, the schools try to make the parents sign a contract that they will not remove the child until the end of school or their voice breaks. I don't believe these contracts could actually be enforced, but they may well be entitled to ask for all the bursaries back, which could be ruinous. But good luck, just go with your instincts!

My 10yo DS2 is a chorister in a college choir. He does not board. It is a big commitment: 5 evensongs a week, meaning that he sings about 20 hours a week, routine. More if they have concerts. They only sing in university term, but tours and recordings take up a reasonable portion of the holidays. DS2 is in his second year as a full chorister, following two years as a probationer.

It is a huge commitment, for all of us, but has been great for DS2. His instrumental music has been enhanced by the choir and he has reached a good level for his age, playing in the National Children’s Orchestra and Pro Corda on the violin. Academically he is fine. An advantage of going to a choir school is that they balance up the boys’ schedules.

But, it is a punishing schedule that does not suit every child. It would have been my older DS’s worst nightmare! Your DC needs to really enjoy group activity, and needs to be well up to speed academically. The selection process is pretty reliable though, so I would go for it and see what happens!

The audition for DS was quite simple. He sang a verse from a hymn, sight sang a hymn and did a load of aural tests. He also played the violin for the school director of music (he was a beginner at the time). He did the school 7+. We didn’t prepare much as he was only 6.

Good luck! PM me if you want to know more about specific choirs.

I would agree with the value of attending "chorister experience" days if time permits. Your child's reaction will help you feel comfortable with proceeding to auditions, and I imagine most include parents tours and a lot of practical information. Our eldest went to a boarding choirschool and the "chorister day" was a huge factor in our decision to let her audition, and for us to feel comfortable that it was right. I agree that day choirschools are an ideal option if you live in the right area, though. We were glad our son did not have to board, though would have considered it had he not been successful at his first audition. Nowadays the boys often need to start quite young as you never know how long their voices will last :(

I’m sure you are right Pythonesque. We didn’t even make it to an open day. The whole thing was last minute. I also didn’t tell DS2 he was auditioning. I just say ‘someone called Mr * wants to hear you sing’ and he accepted it.

DS2 had, however, been singing in a excellent children’s choir for two years. It was just an hour on Saturdays, but it was enough to make us realise that he enjoyed singing and performing in a choir. My top tip is to seek out good quality, but fun musical experiences as early as possible. early Suzuki is also excellent for musicianship and pitch even if the violin ends up not being the right instrument, also dalcroze etc. Don’t worry overly about being a high standard on an instrument at 6. All 5 choristers in DS’s year were beginners or not yet playing at the time of the audition.

This time of year always gets me daydreaming about my two boys being choristers, but I don't think it's likely to happen... They are currently 8 and 5. The 8 year old is not very musical but I think the 5 year old might be. He's going to start learning an instrument next term. Trouble is, as people say above, it really would be a whole family commitment. A friend's son has just started as a cathedral chorister but he is an only child, which must make life easier. I always wonder how competitive it is? I mean, of course the standard is incredibly high, and it must be seen as a route into good prep schools for cheap, but yet the choirs always seem desperate to encourage more boys to audition.

When DS2 auditioned, 30 auditioned for 4/5 spots. I don’t think they look for accomplishment so much as a good ear and general musicality. DS2 sang very well in tune at 6 and had a good range, but did not have an obviously good voice. He has always had a really good ear although does not have absolute pitch.

If you are in West London there is the Hampton Court Choir
www.chapelroyal.org/choir.html