Senior Choristers on Tour

Our Senior Choristers have enjoyed a busy tour of London, Cambridge and Windsor, with visits to some of the country’s most celebrated musical institutions, wonderful opportunities to make music together and plenty of time for exploring along the way. James Anderson-Besant, Director of Music and Organist at Truro Cathedral, reports on their experience:

Our trip began with a morning rehearsal at school to put the finishing touches on our music, before heading upcountry by coach. Inevitably delayed on the A303 around Stonehenge, we made it in the end to Royal Holloway, where we were treated to a tour of the campus and a workshop with the choir.

It was lovely to see former Truro chorister Natalie thriving with the Choir of Royal Holloway, which sounded fantastic under the direction of graduate choral fellow Daniel Ayers. The choir gave us a taste of music across many different genres, and it was striking how flexible the singers were to each new style and approach. We then worked together on Stanford’s Magnificat in B-flat and Harris’s ‘Faire is the Heaven’, both of which we were singing over the following days. We got some brilliant ideas about how to express the most important words, and how to use the colours of our voices to reflect the different emotions in the music we sing. Many thanks to Daniel Ayers and the Royal Holloway choir for having us visit.

It was then on to London, where we checked into our youth hostel (the former St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School building!) and had a well-earned meal at Pizza Express.

The following morning, after a good breakfast, we set out on foot to Covent Garden, where the choristers were let loose on all the exciting shopping possibilities nearby. At St Paul’s, we were welcomed by Cathedral Organist James Orford, who was Organ Scholar at Truro Cathedral in 2014/15. He gave us a tour of the building before we climbed all the way to the top of the dome for amazing views of the city.

We then rehearsed our music for Evensong, which was sung jointly with the Vicars Choral of St Paul’s Cathedral Choir. St Paul’s and Truro have a lovely connection. During the Second World War, St Paul’s Organist Sir John Dykes Bower, who had been Organist of Truro from 1926 to 1929, evacuated his choristers to Truro, where they spent the war years singing in alternation with and alongside the Truro choristers. It is therefore a great privilege for us to continue making music together.

The music for the service was Walmisley in D minor and Harris’s anthem ‘Strengthen ye the weak hands’, all of which was totally inspiring to sing in the incredible cathedral acoustic. After the service, the choristers briefly had the chance to catch up with friends and family who had come to visit. We then went for a meal nearby and were joined by our 2025/26 Truro choral scholar Jenny Wells, who came to say hello. What an amazing experience we had at St Paul’s Cathedral. It was great to continue our shared history and for our choir members to have the chance to sing in one of the world’s great musical venues.

It was then on the coach to Cambridge, where the choristers settled into the youth hostel while Mr A-B did some late-night organ practice for the next day. Our first full day in Cambridge began with a YHA full English breakfast, even better than the day before. Fuelled up, we headed into central Cambridge and attended the morning Eucharist at St John’s College. They sang Haydn’s Little Organ Mass, and it was very inspiring to hear the choir sounding in such sparkling form in just the second week of term. It was great to catch up with former Truro Director of Music Christopher Gray, who is doing amazing things at St John’s, and to hear their new organ too.

After a quick tour around St John’s College, the choristers were let loose on the town for some shopping and eating. We reconvened later at Trinity College, where we were given a wonderful welcome. Steven Grahl led an inspiring rehearsal with the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge and us, and it was a privilege to sing with this world-class ensemble.

In between the rehearsal and the service, Mr A-B gave an organ recital, with music by Mozart, Alain and Bach, before the two choirs sang Evensong: Dyson in D and Harris’s ‘Faire is the Heaven’.

Thank you so much to Trinity College Choir for having us along to join you. We will not forget this experience. After our now-traditional trip to Byron Burgers, it was back to the YHA for the final sleep of the tour.

Our final day began back in Cambridge, where we packed our things and had a little time to explore the city before leaving. Some did some shopping, some did some targeted sightseeing, and some looked around the museums. The coach then took us to St George’s, Windsor, which has often been a memorable final day of our October trip.

The Castle was a hive of activity as preparations were underway for the state visit of the Sultan of Oman. We rehearsed in the Quire, the home of the Order of the Garter, where the flags of its members hang above the stalls, creating an extraordinary setting steeped in history. Our Evensong included Stanford’s Canticles in B-flat and Haydn’s anthem ‘Insanae et Vanae Curae’. After the service, the coach took us back home, where the choristers could enjoy a very well-earned half-term break.

Thank you so much to everyone we’ve visited on tour. We’ve been given such a warm welcome and have been able to experience some extraordinary opportunities. Thank you to our tour staff, Mrs Issaka and Mr Osmond, and trip lead Mrs Gregory, who has helped with so much planning behind the scenes alongside Mrs Vaughan. Thank you to our wonderful choral scholars, the Music Department, Miss Foulkes, Mr Filho and Mr Hall, who have supported our Senior Boys in singing the lower parts throughout the trip.

And finally, thank you to our amazing team of choristers, who have made us proud everywhere we’ve been.

Be a Senior Chorister for a Day

Experiences like this are part of everyday life for a Truro School Senior Chorister. Our annual ‘Be a Senior Chorister for a Day’ event is the perfect opportunity to experience it first-hand, from morning rehearsal through to school lessons and a short service of Evensong, when pupils will have the chance to sing with the Cathedral Choir.

Pupils currently in Years 7 and 8 who are interested in becoming a Senior Chorister as they enter Year 9 are invited to attend on Thursday 12 November 2026. For information about the event, please contact the Truro School Admissions team on 01872 246062 or email [email protected].

You can also register your interest via the link below.

The Cathedral’s Director of Music is happy to meet and informally audition prospective choristers to give feedback. Please contact James Anderson-Besant at [email protected] for more information.

For details about Truro School, including registration and chorister application forms, please contact Truro School Admissions at [email protected].