Choirmaster’s page Every July several boys leave the Cathedral Choir and the remaining boys have to spend September welding themselves into a new team with younger leaders and new faces to integrate. This has now happened, and this week the choir faces its first major event: a liturgical performance of Mozart’s Requiem with Northern Sinfonia, as well as with the Cathedral Consort of Singers, on Wednesday 2 November at 7.30 p.m. Now our thoughts are turning to Advent and Christmas: the two great Advent Processions will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November, both of them filling the cathedral with people, candlelight and music. This time of year is very special for the Choristers but also very demanding, with a performance of Handel’s Messiah, this time with Durham Baroque and again with the Cathedral Consort of Singers, on Saturday 3 December at 7.15 p.m. This concert will give financial support to the Cathedral Choir Association, which exists to support the music of the Cathedral, and has already been able to help support not only choir tours but also individual Choristers for whom membership of the Cathedral Choir would not otherwise be financially possible. During December the Choristers will visit Auckland Castle for the Bishop’s Christmas party, singing in the beautiful Chapel there as well as feasting in the Throne Room. Off-duty they will visit the pantomime at the Gala Theatre, and at least two parties in the Cathedral precincts. Then, as well as leading the singing at the Mencap Carol Service on Saturday 17 December, they will sing at the two great Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols in the Cathedral, on Thursday 22 December at 7 p.m. and Saturday 24 December at 3 p.m. All this is of course in addition to the regular daily sung Cathedral services. Details of all these events and of much else can be found on the Cathedral website at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk and on Durham Cathedral Choir Association’s website at www.durhamcathedral.choir.org. Choristers receive a musical training which is second to none. They also have the experience at an early age of working alongside adults within the choir as equal partners (there are sixteen Choristers and twelve men in the choir); of striving for excellence on a daily basis; of being living links in an historical chain which stretches back six hundred years or more into the past, and we hope many centuries into the future; of teamwork and self-discipline; of world-class architecture, of liturgical richness, and of a feast of music of all ages; of being part of a community which is supportive, cohesive, focused, and united by vision, faith, and a duty and desire to serve and reach out to the communities of the city, the county, the region and the world. For many who go on to successful careers not only as musicians but in all fields, it is the experience of Choristership that has been the turning-point of their lives. Durham Cathedral is committed to continuing to offer boys this experience. Voice Trials are held in May and November, but we are happy to meet candidates and their parents at any time. At a formal voice trial a boy will be asked to sing a song or hymn of his choice which he has practised previously: to sing back notes in his range that are played to him: to sing back a short melody, to clap a rhythm, and to sing back notes from a chord given to him. This may sound challenging, but when testing a boy of eight or nine the Organists are looking for potential and sparkle (as well as a clear voice and a good ear) as much as for actual achievement. The commitment involved in being a Chorister means that Choristers are expected to board at the Chorister School; the boarding house is a happy and lively community, and the routine gives regular opportunities for family time, as well avoiding Durham’s traffic jams! If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact the Chorister School or to contact me, James Lancelot, the Cathedral Organist, at 6 The College, Durham DH1 3EQ, 0191 386 4766, or organist@durhamcathedral.co.uk.