Choirs
The Diocese of Leeds and its Cathedral resource one of the most comprehensive singing programmes in the country. It offers excellent musical opportunities for young people, singing together with the guidance of fully professional choral and vocal specialists. Every member is offered assistance in music reading and theory, and free individual vocal coaching is available for younger children.
Places in the choirs are open to all; however these are subject to an audition, interview, good attendance and music reading skills. The cost of all choir tours is subsidised by the parental Choir Support Group.
The Cathedral has its own programme of three dedicated choirs which perform in rotation. Choral Vespers and Mass are sung every weekday (except Friday) alongside the three principal Sunday services.
Cathedral Boy’s Choir
The Cathedral’s Director of Music leads a well-funded programme for boys’ voices, which includes choir camps and concerts. The twenty strong membership comprises of children between the ages of 7 and 14. Each place is offered by audition for boys up to the age of 10. New boys would normally be expected to learn at least one instrument and/or take regular singing lessons. The rehearsals are on Mondays and Wednesdays after school.
Cathedral Girls’ Choir
The Girls' Choir is the longest established choir of its type in an English catholic cathedral. Acknowledged as ranking amongst the finest of cathedral girls' choirs, they have broadcast nationally many times on BBC Radio to considerable critical acclaim. The girls are aged 8 to 18 and rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school in junior and senior sections.
Cathedral Adult Choir
This semi-professional ensemble is made up of a proportion of choral scholars, and auditioned volunteers. Admission is open to all through application, which may be made on an individual basis throughout the year. Generally considered to be the finest mixed voice chamber choir in Yorkshire, the repertoire centres on renaissance choral music
Bradford Youth Choirs
There are several diocesan boys', girls and youth choirs funded by a consortium of primary and high schools in Bradford and Keighley. Details of this extensive programme can be found at www.bradfordyouthchoir.org
Huddersfield School Choirs
The cathedral's singing outreach programme was extended to schools in Huddersfield in September 2007, with funding from catholic schools.
Leeds Children's Choirs
The music department was recently awarded £50,000 from the government to promote and develop singing in primary schools in Leeds. Nine target schools will benefit from this initiative during 2007 and 2008. A new concert choir for children will also be formed as part of this programme.
