Choristerships / Temple Church - London

[filchards]

We've had our eye on the choir at the Temple Church for some time. Finally DS is the age at which they would listen to him, informally (he's going into Year 2 in Sept., and I gather they generally take from Year 3). However, via his piano teacher (who has friends who are professional singers), I gather all is not good there at the moment. I think the choir master has left? Parental complaints of bullying. I've been in touch (of course without mentioning the gossip) to find out if there's a set date for auditions, and the reply was a bit vague. I guess it could be because it's holiday time. Or the person in the office genuinely couldn't say what's going on regarding next term. Obviously it's making me see things in a slightly different light. When I've enquired in the past, they've been helpful with general info, and husband and I have both been to services and a concert, and thought how nice it all is (a bit more parish churchy than a cathedral) but wouldn't want to be getting ourselves into something that might be unpleasant.

DS doesn't know anything about it yet so, if we dropped the idea, he'd be none the wiser. I was already wondering how we'd deal with it if he didn't get in (seems a young age to have to deal with rejection) but my concerns are now a bit different. Really want him to have the chance to sing in a church choir (and there are so few traditional ones these days).

Anyone have any insights?

@filchards, I don't have any up-to-date knowledge about the Temple choir, but I do have a DS who is a cathedral chorister and I think you're right to look into the culture/atmosphere of the choir just as much as the musical side of things. DS's choirmaster has a wonderful rapport with the choristers and there is a great camaraderie amongst the choir. They spend so much time together rehearsing and in services that it would be a miserable experience if there were major issues with bullying or discontent.

From what I've heard, entry into the Temple/Chapel Royal choirs is fiercely competitive but also rather unpredictable; I know of boys who were turned down by Temple but were accepted into major London cathedral choirs. A friend's son was a Temple chorister some years ago and it's a big commitment for the whole family - the week tends to revolve around the logistics of getting to and from rehearsals and services and unless you live in/near central London the commuting can be very time-consuming.

Yeah, we've been thinking through the practical stuff which is v important. But this news has thrown me rather. You obviously can't really tell what goes on behind the scenes / be a fly on the wall. I know choirs of this standard require discipline and commitment but at what point is it bullying and are people actually not happy with things there?

We auditioned for Temple but chose to withdraw before results were out as we didn't think the rehearsal commitment was something viable. We were told it was Mon to Thu for an hour and then Sundays, and this would have meant our son giving up other interests and clubs. Worth saying we also have another child and its simply not fair to drag her around hia schedule. I know the bursary is large and there is a City Boys link but he is already at a prep school and we didn't want to restrict his choice of schools to just City Boys when the 11plus (looming now). We however went ahead with Southwark Cathedral where he now sings and is thriving at. I'm happy for u to DM me if ud like to chat further.

I'm quite happy with the commitment at Temple Church (if he were to get in). We've considered all the aspects quite thoroughly but the one that has caught me out / freaked me out is what's going on with the Director. Allegations of bullying. Hearing more on the grapevine, it seems that there's quite a bad situation there also with the adult musicians. And someone has been brought in to sort it all out. Who'd think something so beautiful could be so complicated. Alarm bells going off in my head.