When the Augustinian priory and church of St. Mary, founded by Henry 1, became the Cathedral of the newCarlisle Cathedral Choir
900 YEARS OF CHORAL WORSHIP
When the Augustinian priory and church of St. Mary, founded by Henry 1, became the Cathedral of the new
Diocese of Carlisle in 1133, music quickly became a vital part of its life and worship, with four laymen and six boys forming the choir and assisting the canons with music.
400 years later the Cathedral Statutes of 1545 provided for four lay clerks and six choristers, "boys of tender age with sonorous voices and apt at chanting". The choral tradition, unique to Britain, continues to this day.
The Cathedral Choir now consists of 16 choristers and 6 lay clerks. The choristers were originally educated at the Cathedral's own choir school but this was closed in 1935 and nowadays the boys attend the Cathedral on five days a week, after school hours, and sing at six services a week thus ensuring the continuity of the long tradition of daily choral worship.
The boys are aged from 8-13 years and are recruited from local schools. They are selected at voice trials held during the year and receive a thorough musical training. They are awarded an annual bursary and pocket money.
Carlisle Cathedral Youth Choir
The Cathedral also has a Youth Choir for boys and girls aged 11-18 years who sing services in the Cathedral once a week during term time.
Carlisle Cathedral Voluntary Choir
The Voluntary Choir, consisting of mixed voices, was formed to sing occasional services in the absence of the Cathedral and Youth Choirs.
For further information about any of these choirs, please contact the Master of the Music c/o 7 The Abbey, Carlisle CA3 8TZ, England.
Carlisle Cathedral Music Appeal
In 1999 the Carlisle Cathedral Music Appeal was launched with a target of £750,000 to establish a choral foundation to enable annual bursaries and free instrumental lessons to be provided for the choristers, and scholarships and vocal tuition for the choral scholars.
If you would like to support the Appeal please contact the Trust Director for details.