Hitting the high notes

Choristers receive a taste of musical heaven. The joy is infectious, says Catherine Whyte

The moment is imprinted on my mind. I stood stock-still when I heard him. My young son Charlie – barely two – was stacking his toy bricks and warbling away happily to himself. He was singing War Pigs by Black Sabbath. The notes were all there. Bang on.

From that moment, I knew that hisvoice would be his instrument. So, Ibided my time until, seven years later, I noticed a poster advertising the open day for The Choir of The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. I signed him up on the spot.

That was three years ago and, my goodness, we’ve learnt a lot since then. When he passed the audition and was offered a place, I thought only of the musical education he would receive. I didn’t appreciate that singing professionally would benefit him – and us as a family – in manifold ways.

For a start, his confidence has grown beyond measure (the school public speaking competition was a walk in the park). The boys develop poise and a maturity that belies their age. After all, it takes discipline and concentration to perform to such a high standard week after week. It’s like a part-time job (and yes, they do get paid for their efforts).

That said, there’s plenty of downtime. The boys are together so much that they develop strong bonds, as do the parents. After all, we know that their time in the choir is finite – all over once their voices break. It is a testament to those bonds that so many of the alumni return to the Chapel on special occasions.

Early on, another parent told me how her son was really excited by the music. I never thought that Charlie would be the same. But that is what has happened. It’s a wonder to see a 12-year-old boy so conversant with – and thrilled by – what he is singing. I delight in his delight.

To me, the music – if you’ll excuse the expression – is simply divine. It is very special to hear the choir (currently about 14 boys and six gentlemen) sing pieces by Thomas Tallis and William Byrd – both once Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal – who composed for the great Tudor monarchs. I’ve discovered modern choral music too, such as the soaring Vast Ocean of Light by Jonathan Dove and Andrew Smith’s sublime Surrexit Christus. All music lovers should visit – religiously inclined or not. Anyone may attend Sunday services (11am, 3.30pm) without paying the palace entry fees. 

To be sure, the time commitment is onerous. At the open day, we were told to give the decision to join serious thought. This we did. But you never quite appreciate how much of your life you all – siblings included – do sacrifice. We are at the palace two evenings and all day Sunday, every week during term time.

Is it worth it? Yes, absolutely. It’s hard work, but the many special memories tip the scales: concerts at Buckingham Palace; broadcasts on Classic FM; filming for BBC4; and most recently, singing for HM The Queen, Prince Philip and a chapel full of politicians, athletes, broadcasters and actors at a service to mark a century of the Companions of Honour. Charlie is having the time of his life, as are we.

The open day is held in September each year, when prospective choristers aged 7-9 have the chance to ‘be a chorister for a day’ and attend a workshop with Director of Music, Carl Jackson MVO. This year it’s on Sept 23 at 2pm (email choral.foundation@hrp.org.uk). Hampton School may offer choral scholarships to boys from their first year. Boys are expected to sing until the end of Year 8 or until their voice breaks. 

For info on any of the above visit: chapelroyal.org

Local choirs

1) Guildford Cathedral: Comprising both girls and boys, the choir sings for seven fully choral services each week. Organist and Master of the Choristers Katherine Dienes-Williams was, on her appointment, the first woman to hold such a post in the Church of England.

2) Surrey Youth Training Choir is open to boys and girls aged 9-13. No auditions or previous experience required. Sessions are held at The Marist School, West Byfleet, near Woking.

  • First term free, £49 per term thereafter. Email: surreyartsmusic@surreycc.gov.uk; surreycc.gov.uk

3) Tiffin Children’s Chorus is open to girls and boys aged 8-13 from Kingston and its environs. Members often join forces with the Tiffin School choirs for public performances in prestigious locations such as Royal Albert Hall. 

4) All Saints Parish Church in Kingston's choir – led by Director of Music Stephen Westrop – welcomes boys and girls to sing with adult members. No experience needed, but enthusiasm and intelligence vital! Members are paid. 

5) National Youth Choirs of Great Britain is special in that it holds residential courses outside of term time for its singers, from those of Year 5 age (Year 6 girls) up to those turning 22. Junior girls’ and boys’ choirs, as well as the main National Youth Choir, all participate in concerts and events. 

6) Farnham Youth Choir sings a broad repertoire of secular and sacred pieces, drawing members from within 15 miles of Farnham. The girls’ and boys’ choirs feed into the award-winning main youth choir, which has twice been named UK Choir of the Year. 

  • Entry by audition under Director of Music Joanna Tomlinson. Contact: info@fyc.org.uk; fyc.org.uk

7) Berkshire Maestros runs choirs for children from Year 1 on an enrolment basis at the Windsor Music Centre, based at Dedworth Middle School. The organisation is also responsible for the wider-scale, audition-only Berkshire County Youth Choirs. For information on both visit:

8) St George’s Chapel, Windsorcome, gets most of its choristers from St George’s School, which has been a choir school since its foundation in 1352, although some are appointed from the local community.

  • To discover more about the audition process and open day email: music@stgeorges-windsor.org; stgeorges-windsor.org

9) Holy Trinity Church, Cookham has both a girls’ and a boys’ choir, which meet every week on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively under the leadership of Director of Music,Sara Wood. 

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