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Cathedral Choir

Durham Cathedral Choir can trace its origins back to the time of the Cathedral’s foundation in the 11th century.

Who is in the Choir?

There are up to 24 girl and 24 boy Choristers as well six Lay Clerks and six Choral Scholarship holders. The boys and girls sing alternately.

At major services of Advent and Christmas, and at other special occasions, all the Choristers sing together with the adults of the choir.

Children's Choir

Choristers

Our Choristers are aged 7 - 13 and are all educated at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation for more information, including how to apply please see here.

Choral Scholars

The six Choral Scholars are students at Durham University, who sing alongside their studies. For more information, including how to apply please see here.

Lay Clerks

The six Lay Clerks are professional adult singers, who work with the Cathedral Choir alongside their other employment commitments, ranging from singing teaching to librarianship. They also act as mentors to the Choral Scholars.

When can I hear the choir sing?

Our choir sings eight services each week, continuing a centuries’ old tradition. 

In term-time the Cathedral choir sings Evensong six times a week at 5.30pm Tuesday – Saturday and 3.30pm on Sundays.

On Sunday mornings the choir sings at a Sung Eucharist at 10am and Matins at 11.30am.

Childrens choir walking through cathedral

Scholarships and grants for those who sing

All Choristers are educated at Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation and receive a bursary worth up to two thirds of the annual fees. Further means tested assistance is also available.

We also offer Choral Scholarships and Organ Scholarships to Durham University students.

Interested in joining the choir?

We are hold informal voice trials, with no obligation, for children in Years 2-6.

To sign up, please download an application form and return it to the Music Administrator by emailing music@durhamcathedral.co.uk
Children's choir singing
Christmas service with Durham Cathedral Choir
Children singing in the choir service

Singing across the centuries

  • From 1095: ‘monks in quire’ sing the monastic services.

  • 1416 onwards: they are joined for some services by singing boys (Choristers), educated at what is now The Chorister School in the Cathedral’s precincts.

  • 1540s: after the dissolution of the monasteries ‘monks in quire’ are replaced by Lay Clerks, meaning men who were not ordained and who could read and write.

  • 1960s: the six Lay Clerks are joined by six Choral Scholars – student members of Durham University.

  • 1997: the Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers of adult volunteers is founded.

  • 2009: the boy Choristers are joined by a team of girl Choristers.

Concerts and highlights

The Cathedral Choir has sung in concerts and services across England. It has also toured France, Germany, Holland, Ireland and the United States.

The Cathedral Choir regularly sings for BBC Radio Three’s Choral Evensong.

2018

  • Sang at Ushaw in County Durham, a former Catholic seminary, as part of its 450 anniversary celebrations – music included the famous Allegri Miserere.
  • Performed Bach’s St John Passion in concert at the Cathedral with the Avison Ensemble.
  • The Choristers performed for HRH The Prince of Wales when he visited the Cathedral.

2017

  • Gave a sold out Christmas concert as well as sing at the Cathedral’s Advent and Christmas services.
  • Two of the Choristers performed The Snowman which was screened at Durham Cathedral.
  • The senior choristers performed as part of Ian Anderson and the Christmas Jethro Tull
    Performed Venetian Surround Sound as part of Durham Brass Festival 2017 with His Majesty's Sagbutts & Cornetts.

Other Choirs

If you would like to sing at the cathedral, you may also be interested in:

Durham Cathedral Young Singers

From ages 1 to 17, join us on a Saturday morning to experience the joy of musical expression from a young age and perform in the cathedral.

Find out more

Junior Consort

Formed of former choristers and other excellent young singers, providing them with an opportunity to sing in the Cathedral outside of the upper age range for choristership (from 13+).

Find out more

Durham Cathedral Consort

Consisting of around twenty-four adult volunteer singers, this choir steps in to provide music for services, when the Cathedral Choir is not available.

Find out more

Help support the Choir

Do you love the sound of choral music and want to support its future? The Durham Cathedral Choir Association is a charity that plays a vital role in maintaining our centuries’ old tradition of exceptional music.

Find out more