The Choristers of Chichester Cathedral will return to singing services from Thursday 1st October 2020.
Earlier this year the Cathedral Choir, which is made up of six Lay Vicars and 14 Choristers, was silenced as the country went into lockdown.
The return of the Choristers, who are pupils at the neighbouring Prebendal School, follows extensive planning from the Cathedral’s music team led by Organist & Master of the Choristers Charles Harrison.
Charles said:
“We are fortunate to have received detailed and specific advice from Public Health England and the Church of England Recovery Group about the resumption of services sung by the full Cathedral Choir. The congregation will see some changes in the location of the choir during services, and in the spacing of choir members. Rehearsals before services will now take place in the Cathedral itself, rather than the Song School, and minimum distances between the choir and worshippers will be observed. Having trialled these measures with the Lay Vicars for the last fortnight, we are now ready to bring back the choristers who are eager and excited at the prospect returning to singing duties. Despite the enforced six-month sabbatical, they are back on excellent vocal form and gliding through the demanding choir schedule with their characteristic professionalism and cheerfulness. Thursday’s Evensong will be a special moment, as we share once again our love of music with the wider Cathedral community."
The Choir forms a vital part of the Cathedral’s life of prayer and worship, and plays a central role in its ministry to the local community, the Diocese of Chichester and the wider world.
You can hear the Cathedral’s Choir at services throughout the week, as well as every Sunday at 9.30am online.
