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 Choristers (who held scholarships at Liverpool College). 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. Since then numbers have increased to the current complement of 12 Lay clerks and twenty-four Choristers, who now attend schools all over Merseyside.

The choir’s prime function is to maintain choral worship on six days each week in the 38 weeks of term time, and Liverpool has the distinction of being the only cathedral choir to do this without the aid of a choir school. The choir also sings at numerous special services and concerts, and makes broadcasts and recordings. Membership over the years has included some 2000 boys, many of who have gone on to eminent musical careers. One exception was former Beatle, Paul McCartney, who failed his audition for the choir in the 1950s. However, since then he has collaborated with the choir several times, most notably in performance of his world-famous ‘Liverpool Oratorio’.

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.

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.

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 taste local delicacies and speak in the language of the country, all contributing to their general education.