Come, Sing at St George's!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of music does a chorister sing?

"Today we're singing Handel." "0o, that's great!"

" ...and Tavener ... " "Oh no, that's junk!"

Already a ten-year-old chorister has a highly-developed sense of quality! Nevertheless, it is the case that he will sing a whole range of music from the 14th to the 21st centuries and will develop an increasing sense of style as he gets older. This country's choral tradition has the highest respect amongst musicians from other countries, for the range and standard of choral singing achieved.

Choristers Henry and Max sing for our visitors on Open Day

Q: When does a chorister usually begin?

Usually we take choristers between the ages of 7 and 9, roughly equivalent to Years 3-5. The earlier they start in this age range the better, but we have taken some in Year 6.

Q: What is the difference between a probationer and a chorister?

A probationer is a training chorister and this usually takes about nine months to a year. At the end of that time, a probationer has a test to see what he has learnt and, if he passes, then he is 'surpliced' as a full chorister.

Q: How many places are there?

We have 23 places, represented by scholarships for each place; 4 or 5 for each year group.

Q: How is the Choir made up?

The choristers form the top or treble line of the Choir. The altos, tenor and basses, called 'Lay Clerks'. are professional auditioned singers. The Choir is conducted by the Director of Music and accompanied by the Assistant Organist and the Organ Scholar (a student).

Applause for the boys and Mr Byram-Wigfield at the Open Day

Q: Does a chorister have to board?

A full chorister weekly-boards, yes, but a probationer doesn't have to until he gets nearer the time of being surpliced. The reason for boarding is that the choristers' duties often require them to be in Chapel early (for weekday morning practice, for instance). All the choristers now go home on Friday evening and come back to school in time for breakfast on Sunday morning (though some prefer to return in time for the famous Saturday night movie!). Boarding does actually make life easier for chorister parents, rather than more difficult, and a happy and healthy chorister enjoys the family atmosphere of the boarding house.

Q: Don't they have to sing rather a lot of services?

One of the reasons a chorister's training is so valuable is that he learns, essentially, to be a professional musician; and it is the act of performing so regularly which provides this (see below).

Q: What is 'Garter Day'?

Once a year, the Knights of the Garter meet in Windsor Castle and process down to the Chapel. The ceremony has much pageantry and pomp and is attended by Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family. The Choir has a central role in the service, singing a Te Deum and an anthem. You can find out more about the Knights of the Garter, an ancient order of chivalry which goes back to 1348, on the Chapel web site. Today's Knights are appointed to reflect their significant contribution to public life.

Q: Apart from services, what else does the Choir do?

There are a number of Royal and other important occasions in the Chapel for which the Choir sings, but it also undertakes a number of concerts, broadcasts and tours, regularly recording for BBC radio and television. These include appearances on Songs of Praise and Choral Evensong, and performances in the Windsor Festival. The choir is at its busiest singing carols at Christmas time, both here in St George's Chapel and for private events, in London and elsewhere.

 

For more information about St George's Chapel and Choir - or about St George's School - click on the logos above for links to their own web sites.