Ely Cathedral Girls Choir
Music
A new chapter in the history of the King's School began in September 2006 with the arrival of the 16 members of the new Ely Cathedral Girls' Choir.
The Cathedral Girls' Choir"Music plays a key part in the life of The King’s School Ely. Whether pupils’ interests lie in choirs, orchestras, chamber music, wind, jazz or rock bands, the school aims to provide opportunities for every musician."
The girls, all boarding pupils in King's Senior School aged 13-18, will contribute significantly to cathedral services as the months go by, but the majority of the first half of this Michaelmas term is being spent 'settling in' - getting used to their rehearsal schedule and learning repertoire.
Louise Reid
The Director of the Girls' Choir
The Director of the Girls' Choir is Louise Reid (on maternity leave in 2008) who was the founder Director of the Guildford Cathedral Girl Choristers and before that the Assistant Organist and Director of the Girls' Choir of Wakefield Cathedral. She was trained at Lincoln College, Oxford, and at the Royal Academy of Music, and held the post of organ scholar at Westminster Abbey. Her broader musical experience includes directing the Northern Cathedral Singers (girls and men), leading residential courses for girls both in this country and in the USA, and working for BBC Radio 4's Daily Service.
The Acting Director of the Girls' Choir (2008)
Sarah MacDonald
Sarah MacDonald is Director of Music in Chapel at Selwyn College, Cambridge. She studied organ, piano, and conducting in her native Canada, and as Organ Scholar of Robinson College, Cambridge, before taking up the position at Selwyn in 1999; she was the first woman to hold such a post in an Oxbridge Chapel. Sarah has recorded over 25 CDs, variously in the guises of condutor, organist, pianist, and producer; she has played recitals and conducted concerts throughout Europe, North America, the Middle East, and New Zealand, and has broadcast live on BBC Radio and on Canadian television. Sarah is a Fellow and a Trustee of the Royal College of Organists.
Edward Taylor, the organ scholar appointed to assist is a former Ely Cathedral Boys Choir head chorister.
The Head of King's School, Sue Freestone, was delighted that the Dean and Chapter and the cathedral's Director of Music, Paul Trepte, embraced the idea of a girls choir for the cathedral with such warm enthusiasm.
Mrs Freestone and King's governor, Peter Dawe, are both active members of the cathedral's Music Appeal and the founding of the Girls Choir helped focus national attention on the cathedral's established reputation as a centre of musical excellence.
Girl choristers receive bursaries of one-third of boarding fees. Additional bursaries may be available. The school is funding the girls choral bursaries and all associated staffing costs so there is no drain on the cathedral's resources.
The Cathedral Girls' Choir
The girls, all boarding pupils in King's Senior School aged 13-18, sing Evensong on their own every Wednesday, and with the Gentlemen of the Choir on alternate Mondays during school term. They also contribute fully to the many Feast Days celebrated at the Cathedral, including Epiphany, Palm Sunday, and Maundy Thursday, in 2008. The Girls rehearse five mornings a week at 8:00am, as well as before each service they sing.
Auditions for the Girls' Choir this year will be held on Saturday 2 February 2008 at 1pm in the King's School Recital Hall. Previous experience of choral singing is an advantage but not essential. Tests will include simple vocal exercises to explore vocal range and candidates will need to bring a piece of music of their choice which can be any style their like - or just a hymn - but something they feel confident to sing.
The Cathedral Girls' Choir
FURTHER INFORMATION about the King's School Choral Awards
Any enquiries about choristerships for girls should be addressed to
THE KING'S SCHOOL ELY (Senior School)
Barton Square,
Ely,
Cambs.
CB7 4DB
www.kings-ely.cambs.sch.uk
To arrange a visit, or for any other queries concerning admission to The King's School,
please email admissions@kings-ely.cambs.sch.uk
or contact
THE KING'S SCHOOL ELY (Senior School)
Mrs Judith Nancollis Admissions Secretary
Tel 01353 660702
