The Choir
Liverpool Cathedral Choir was founded in 1910 for the consecration of the Lady Chapel, when it consisted of six professional Lay clerks and twelve boy Choristers. They sustained daily worship in the Cathedral Lady Chapel for the next fourteen years, until the consecration of the first bay of the main Cathedral in 1924. Daily choral services were maintained until the outbreak of the second world war, at which time the number of choral services was reduced. During the time of Dean Derrick Walters, choral services were increased again to the current number; seven choral services a week.
In 2004, to mark the centenary of the Cathedral, Girls Voices were recruited to compliment the existing boys and men’s voices of the choir. Currently the choir consists of fourteen Lay clerks, thirty boy choristers and twenty-eight girl choristers.
The choir’s prime function is to maintain choral worship at seven services on six days each week in the 38 weeks of term time. There is no dedicated choir school and the boys and girls of the Cathedral Choir attend different schools across the city and diocese. The choir also sings at numerous special services and concerts, and makes broadcasts and recordings. Membership over the years has included some 2000 boys, and a growing number of girls, many of whom have gone on to eminent musical careers.
The choir has worked with many famous musicians, including former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, who despite having failed his audition for the choir in the 1950s. returned to the Cathedral to collaborate with with the choir several times, most notably in performances of the ‘Liverpool Oratorio’ and 'Ecce Cor Meum'.
Touring
In recent years the Cathedral Choir has travelled throughout the world giving performances and many prestigious venues, its own right and with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
- 2010 Paris (Boys)
- 2010 Oxford (Girls)
- 2009 Oxford (Boys)
- 2009 Poland (Girls)
- 2008 Cologne (Boys)
- 2007 Riga (Boys)
- 2006 Venice (Boys)
- 2006 Cologne (Girls)
- 2005 Amsterdam (Boys)
- 2004 Cologne (Boys)
- 2003 Prague
- 2002 Catalonia Barcelona, Sitges & Monserrat.
- 2001 Belgium - Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent & Malines.
- 2000 Czech Republic - Dvorak Festival & the conclusion of Prague Spring Festival
- 1999 Paris area, incl. St. Louis en L’Ile and Chatres Cathedral
- 1995 Southern France concerts in LA Tour de France
- 1994 Lille, Concert Hall Lille
- 1993 Tokyo, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied with Paul McCartney
Alongside rehearsals and performances, the choristers enjoy a mixed programme of sightseeing and other activities, to broaden their knowledge of the country they are visiting. They are encouraged to experience the local culture and language, which contributes to their general and musical education.