History of the Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir is as old as the Cathedral itself and is one of the city’s most important cultural assets. The present choir consists of 16 boys and 11 men. The boys are educated at The Cathedral Grammar School where they all hold special Choral Scholarships, which pay for their tuition. The men comprise 4 paid Lay Clerks, 6 Godley Wakefield Scholars and a few voluntary singers. The Choir has a wide and varied repertoire, ranging from the sixteenth century to the present day. Along with the cathedral and collegiate chapel choirs of Great Britain, it is a part of a unique, centuries-old tradition that has no equivalent outside the English-speaking world. Christchurch Cathedral shares with the Cathedral of St Andrew, Sydney, the distinction of being the only cathedral outside Britain to have its own Choir School. Auditions for boys are held during the year.

Enquiries about the Cathedral choir can be made either to the Director of Music, Brian Law,
or, regarding choir boys, to the Headmaster of The Cathedral Grammar School. headmaster@cathedralgrammar.school.nz

Details about The Cathedral Grammar School can be found on the school’s web site: http://www.cathedralgrammar.school.nz/