Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music

Securing the future of music at Chichester Cathedral with the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music

For 950 years, music has been the soul of Chichester Cathedral, inspiring worship and connecting communities.

Chichester Cathedral’s renowned choir, known for its distinctive "Chichester Sound," has enriched worship for centuries. Alongside free lunchtime concerts and an Organ Scholar programme, it upholds a proud musical tradition.

However, financial challenges threaten this legacy. With no government or Church of England funding, the Cathedral relies entirely on donors.

Here you can discover how you can help secure the future of this cherished tradition through the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music. With opportunities for match funding and chorister sponsorship, your support can make a lasting impact, helping to preserve the Cathedral’s musical legacy for generations to come.

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Match Funding | Chichester950

Help us preserve the heartbeat of Chichester Cathedral – contribute to our Chichester950 Match Funding for Music campaign. Every pound donated this year will be doubled.

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Choristerships: support music and education

Sponsoring a chorister is a meaningful way to support both a child’s education and the preservation of Chichester Cathedral’s musical heritage.

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By contributing to the match funding campaign or sponsoring a chorister, you are helping to safeguard Chichester Cathedral’s musical legacy for future generations. Your support ensures that music continues to be at the heart of the Cathedral, enriching lives and inspiring all who visit.

The wonderful music at Chichester Cathedral can help us to connect with the presence of God

The Duchess of Richmond and Gordon, Patron

Good to know

Cost of music at the Cathedral

Maintaining the Cathedral’s musical excellence - from choir training, organ scholarships to free lunchtime concerts - requires significant investment. The annual cost (as of February 2025) of supporting music at the Cathedral is nearly £450,000, with almost half allocated to chorister scholarships.

Organ scholar, singing lessons & other music costs 2% | Choir welfare, travel & deputies 7% | Choir salaries, including Lay Vicars 43% | Scholarships for Choristers 48%

Experiencing music at Chichester Cathedral

The Chichester Cathedral Choir performs at Sunday services and daily Evensong during term time (except Wednesdays).

We also host free lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays during term time from 1.10pm to 2.00pm. Performers include our resident and visiting organists, as well as guest pianists, quartets and more.

In addition, the Cathedral welcomes visiting orchestras and choirs throughout the year for special public concerts.

Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music

To address the annual costs of maintaining the current levels of music at the Cathedral, primarily the costs associated with the choir’s singing at Sunday services and Evensong, the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust CIO launched the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music, aiming to raise £5 million by 2026 to ensure a sustainable income for these vital activities.

This fund will be strategically invested as capital, with the generated income playing a crucial role in supporting the ongoing annual cost of music at Chichester Cathedral.

A Cathedral without music is like a body without a soul

Sir John Rutter, Vice-Patron