Worcester Cathedral announces equal choristerships for girls

It is hoped that the move will allow boys and girls of all ages and backgrounds to access Worcester Cathedral and the King's School's music department.

Other significant steps include changes to the Cathedral Voluntary Choir, which will become open to all boys and girls from the local area from September 2021.

Worcester Cathedral is also creating a new Youth Choir, the first of its kind at the cathedral, which caters specifically for singers between school years 9 and 13.

Worcester Cathedral’s precentor, canon Dr Michael Brierley said: 'The choral arrangements at Worcester Cathedral work extremely well, with the one exception that we don’t offer girls the same opportunities for singing as we offer boys.

'These changes make good that exception, and open up three choirs to boys and girls on an entirely equal basis. I’m absolutely delighted about this, and greatly look forward to implementing the new format with colleagues at both the cathedral and local schools.'

A summary of changes can be found below:

- Ensuring that being a chorister in the cathedral choir affords equal opportunities to boy and girl choristers.

- Having a wide reach across Worcester and the surrounding area, presenting opportunities for as many people as possible, of all ages and from all backgrounds, to have access to the music department and cathedral.

To achieve this, the cathedral is:

- expanding its scheme of scholarships for choristers, in partnership with King’s School, Worcester and King’s St Alban’s, in order to offer the same opportunities for boys and girls who wish to be a cathedral chorister;

- developing the role played by the Cathedral Voluntary Choir, which will become open to all boys and girls from the local area;

- setting up a new Youth Choir – the first of its kind at the cathedral catering specifically for singers between school years 9 and 13.

For more information visit worcestercathedral.co.uk.