Liverpool Cathedral welcomes choirs from all over the country and abroad to provide the music while the Cathedral Choir is on vacation. Visiting choirs play a valuable and important part in the life of the Cathedral, enabling our choral tradition to continue unabated throughout the course of the year.
When do visiting choirs sing services?
- The first Sunday of half term (February, May & October)
- After the major festivals of Christmas and Easter
- During the summer vacation
Which services do visiting choirs sing?
During half terms, only the Sunday is available.
During Christmas, Easter and the summer vacation, you are welcome to choose from the following options:
a) A full week with one day off
b) A long weekend (Thursday / Friday - Sunday)
c) Saturday & Sunday
d) Sunday
What will the schedule be?
Depending on the number of days you wish to sing, the schedule of rehearsals and services will consist of all, or a selection of the following:
Monday
Rehearsal: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Evensong: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Tuesday
Rehearsal: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Evensong: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Wednesday
Silent
Thursday
Rehearsal: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Evensong: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Friday
Rehearsal: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Evensong: 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Saturday
Rehearsal: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Evensong: 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Sunday
Rehearsal: 9:00am - 10:00am
Eucharist: 10:30am - 11:45am
Rehearsal: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Evensong: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Accompanist
When the Cathedral choir is away, weekday and Saturday Evensongs are held in the Cathedral's Lady Chapel, for which your own organist is very welcome to play. The services on the Sunday are held in the main Cathedral for which one of the Cathedral's duty organists will be available to accompany you. The reason Chapter have set this rule is that there is no available rehearsal time for visiting organists to get to know the Cathedral organ. In order for us to maintain our 'free entry' policy, the Cathedral is heavily used in the evening time, and, unfortunately, there is no opportunity for organ practice during the day.
It is important for visiting choirs to be aware of this policy before making a booking, as many choirs wish to perform with their own organist, and hence withdraw at a later stage which is inconvenient for both parties involved.
Will we have access to rehearsal rooms?
Yes. You will have the run of the Eastern Undercroft and Courtyard for the duration of your visit, including Song Room and robing areas. You are free to use the undercroft at any time during your visit as a base, and for extra rehearsal and warming up before your rehearsal time in the Lady Chapel or Cathedral.
Facilities include:
Song Room (main rehearsal room with Grand piano, conductor's stand & stalls)
Smaller rehearsal room with piano
Adult toilets
Toilets for those under the age of 18
East end courtyard (secure outdoor area)
Accommodation
The Cathedral has links with two local providers of accommodation, and offers catering for Visiting Choirs at reduced rates. Please contact us to discuss the various options available.
How to Apply
In the first instance, please check the list of dates below and contact our Associate Organist, Daniel Bishop, who will discuss the various options available to you. Email: daniel.bishop@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk Phone: 0151 702 7240.
We look forward to welcoming you and your choir to the Cathedral!
Dates in 2012
Sunday 12th February (Half Term) - Ecclesia
Saturday 18th February - Cathedral Overcrofters
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th April - The English Cathedrals Chamber Choir
Sunday 3rd June - St. John's Chapel Choir, Southsea
Friday 22nd June - St. Martin's, Houston, USA
Sunday 22nd July - St. John's, Walton
Thursday 26th - Sunday 29th July - St. Luke's, Chelsea
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th August - Poscimur
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August - Jubilate Chamber Choir
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th August - Voces Usuales
Sunday 26th August - The Holy Name Singers
Sunday 2nd September - Coventry Road Singers
Saturday 8th September - RSCM Voices North
Sunday 28th October - Broughton Parish Church
Sunday 30th December - Liverpool Choral Scholars
Dates in 2013
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th February - Priory Voices
Friday 5th - Sunday 7th April - Peterborough Chamber Choir
May Half Term (Sunday only) - St. John's Chapel Choir, Southsea
Monday 22nd - Sunday 28th July - VACANT
Monday 29th July - Sunday 4th August - VACANT
Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th August - St. Paul's Bedford
Friday 16th - Sunday 18th August - Goring Chamber Choir
Monday 19th - Sunday 25th August - VACANT
Sunday 1st September - Christopher Wren Singers
Saturday before Cathedral choir return - RSCM (date to be confirmed)
October Half Term (Sunday only) - Broughton Parish Church
Sunday 29th December - Liverpool Choral Scholars
Dates in 2014
February Half Term (Sunday only) - VACANT
Spring Break - Beckenham Parish Church
May Half Term (Sunday only) - St. John's Chapel Choir, Southsea
Monday 21st - Sunday 27th July - VACANT
Monday 28th July - Sunday 3rd August - VACANT
Monday 4th - Sunday 10th August - VACANT
Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th August - Damian Singers
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August - Leicester Church Music Consort
Thursday 28th - Sunday 31st August - Oakville Singers
Saturday before Cathedral choir return - RSCM (date to be confirmed)
October Half Term (Sunday only) - Poscimur
Sunday 28th December - Liverpool Choral Scholars
Dates in 2015
February Half Term (Sunday only) - VACANT
Friday 10th - Sunday 12th April - The Harsnett Choir
May Half Term (Sunday only) - VACANT
Monday 20th - Sunday 26th July - VACANT
Monday 27th July - Sunday 2nd August - VACANT
Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th August - VACANT
Monday 10th - Sunday 16th August - VACANT
Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd August - VACANT
Tuesday 25th - Sunday 30th August - VACANT
Saturday before Cathedral choir return - RSCM (date to be confirmed)
October Half Term (Sunday only) - VACANT
Sunday after Christmas - VACANT
Dates in 2016
ALL VACANT