Each year we look for three or four boys and girls aged between 7 and 9 to join the choir and share in the cathedral’s rich musical heritage. 

A choristership at Hereford Cathedral is an experience that sets children up for life. The commitment is substantial, but the rewards are exponential. Our choristers make life-long friendships and have a lot of fun, while gaining valuable skills and an appreciation of hard work and high standards.

Opportunities for your child as a chorister at Hereford:

• Receive a first-class musical training from the cathedral’s staff of professional musicians. The experience of performing to the highest standards every day, and the valuable skills which they acquire of concentration, team-work, self-discipline and self-confidence will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
• Receive free individual singing tuition and group music theory lessons every week. Most choristers will have achieved grade 5 theory by the time they leave the choir. Choristers also receive support towards the cost of instrumental lessons.
• Take part each year in the world-famous Three Choirs Festival, which has been hosted in turn by the cathedrals of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester since the early 1700s. Today it provides further opportunities for the choristers to work at the highest professional standard with some of the country’s best-known conductors, soloists and orchestras.
• Receive a substantial scholarship from the Chapter of the cathedral towards the cost of their education at the cathedral schools. Additional financial support is available where needed.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for girls and boys who enjoy singing, being part of a close-knit team and who, with their parents, will commit themselves to a demanding but immensely rewarding schedule. It is always useful to have some experience of a musical instrument, but it is by no means essential. 

The schedule

The cathedral choir sings Evensong at 5.30 pm on five days a week, and at three services on Sundays.

The choristers rehearse for these services, and extra events like tours, broadcasts and recordings, on five mornings a week from 8.10 to 9 am and on Sundays from 8.55 to 9.50 am. There is also a short rehearsal each afternoon with the professional adult singers of the choir and on Friday evening from 6.15 to 7.15 pm.

Choristers normally continue in the choir until their voices change or the end of year 8, whichever is the sooner.

If your child is interested

You are welcome to arrange an informal meeting at any time with Andrew Reid, the director of music, to find out more about the opportunities on offer. He is always glad to meet prospective parents, especially if they would like guidance about their child’s potential for a choristership.

Our next Chorister Open Morning will take place in March 2027.

For further information

Please contact Andrew Reid on 01432 374212 or by email.

Hereford Cathedral would like to express its grateful thanks to the Ouseley Trust for its generous support of choristerships in the cathedral choir.