Truro Cathedral is delighted to announce the next chapter in its proud choral tradition.

From September, Truro Cathedral Choir’s age 8-13 chorister programme will become mixed gender for the first time and children of all genders are invited to apply as part of an exciting additional round of recruitment for 2025, widening access opportunities to all children.

Truro Cathedral Choir has an unbroken tradition dating back to the 1880s, when services took place in a wooden shed while John Loughborough Pearson’s cathedral was under construction. 2015 marked a significant milestone when girls aged 13-18 years were welcomed into the chorister programme for the first time, enriching the Cathedral’s musical life and laying the foundation for greater inclusivity.

Building on that legacy, and as a result of being in the position to facilitate additional places, the cathedral is pleased to open its chorister programme (ages 8–13) to children of all genders. This development will, over time, create a fully mixed-gender chorister group.

Empowering Young Voices

At the core of the revised programme is a commitment to empowering young singers. The cathedral recognises the unique potential within each chorister and is dedicated to cultivating their abilities through comprehensive training, developing a wide variety of musical and non-musical skills.

All choristers attend Truro School, which continues to offer scholarships for them. Access to means-tested bursaries also ensures that financial circumstances do not hinder access to the programme.

Truro Cathedral’s Director of Music, James Anderson-Besant, commented, “Truro Cathedral Choir’s chorister programme offers a unique education in singing and music in Cornwall, to boys and girls alike. We are delighted now to offer this opportunity to girls aged 8-13, as well as 13-18. This will widen access to the choir; through an immersive training, children develop teamwork, leadership and confidence skills alongside musical excellence. In due course, we will be announcing our plans for an exciting new scheme to nurture boys’ singing in the 13-18 age range – an area currently underrepresented in cathedral music”.

The Very Reverend Simon Robinson, Dean of Truro and Rector of St Mary’s Truro, said: “It is a true joy to work in partnership with Truro School. I am delighted with these carefully thought out and exciting developments which will build on the excellence inherent in our worship at Truro Cathedral and will both enhance and widen opportunity for young people to be part of this worshipping community whilst developing musical skills, skills of teamwork and leadership all under the direction of our Director of Music, Mr James Anderson-Besant. This is great news for the children and young people of Cornwall as well as for us.”

Speaking about the partnership, Truro School’s Head, Andy Johnson, said, “We are immensely proud of our longstanding partnership with Truro Cathedral and of the role we play in supporting the Cathedral’s outstanding Chorister Programme. This latest development reflects a shared commitment to inclusivity and opportunity, and ensures that all young singers, regardless of gender or background, can access exceptional musical training, and education, and be part of a tradition that continues to evolve and inspire.”

An Invitation to All Young Singers

Truro Cathedral is pleased to invite families, aspiring choristers, and members of the local community to join them in this exciting new chapter.

Who can apply:

We are inviting applications both from girls and boys moving into school Years 4–6 this September, and into Years 7 and 8.

·         For those moving into Years 4-6, prior musical experience is not required; we are looking for an enthusiasm for singing and a good, clear voice of real potential.

·         For those moving into Years 7 and 8, this opportunity is open to apply for those who have existing and significant previous musical experience who may be able to join and enhance the choir based upon that experience.

How to apply:

Please download an application form below and return it to prepadmissions@truroschool.com

Completed application forms must be received by 25 June 2025.

Please note that this is a special one-off recruitment opportunity for extra places for children looking to join the chorister programme in September 2025.

Truro Cathedral will continue to offer its regular recruitment cycle for choristers for September 2026 entry, including their ‘Be A Senior Chorister for a Day’ in November 2025 for children moving into Year 9, and their ‘Chorister Experience Day’ in January 2026 for children moving into Years 4-6.

What are the benefits of performing as a Chorister in Truro Cathedral’s Choir?

• Performing music by great composers with an outstanding choir directed by specialist professional musicians in one of the South West’s finest buildings.
• Taking part in live broadcasts for television and radio, CD recordings and foreign tours.
• Receiving scholarships and possibly means-tested bursaries towards fees at Truro School Prep.
• Developing leadership skills in a supportive environment with a great deal of individual attention.
• Working as part of a close team with a special purpose and a strong sense of identity.

What is the time commitment of Truro Cathedral’s Choir?

The Choristers rehearse every weekday morning from around 8am. There is a two-week pattern for singing services at Truro Cathedral, as follows:

Week A: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4.40pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service, (finished by 6.10pm). Additional 5-6pm Tuesday rehearsal possible. Sunday services at 10am and 4pm, with rehearsals from 8.50am and 3.15pm respectively.

Week B: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 4.40pm rehearsal for 5.30pm service; no Sunday duties.

In addition to these core duties, Truro Cathedral Choir sings services at Christmas and Easter as well as concerts at churches in Cornwall. Occasionally there is a foreign tour during the Easter or Summer holiday. A full schedule is published well in advance.

How does the selection process work?

The official chorister auditions take place annually. Experienced staff from the Cathedral assess each application carefully to decide whether a chorister place is right for the child and for the choir.

Applicants can sing a short piece of music (for example, a verse from ‘Away in a Manger’) if they wish. They will be assessed on their voice, reading skills, ear and general aptitude (for example, concentration and commitment). At this very young age, it is musical potential rather than ability that is being tested. Applicants must also pass the school’s independent assessment which will be given at the same time as the Cathedral chorister auditions.

What scholarships and bursaries are available?

Truro Cathedral Choristers are educated at Truro School where they receive a 25% scholarship which can be supplemented with a means-tested bursary with the aim that the selection is based purely on ability.

Bursaries will aim to make the school fees affordable for applicants of any financial background, but parents will be expected to make some sacrifices. Bursaries are reviewed annually and will be adjusted if parental circumstances change. Truro Cathedral’s Director of Music will be pleased to discuss this aspect of a chorister application at any stage.