Portsmouth Cathedral Choir

Portsmouth Cathedral Choir is made up of twenty-four boy choristers who, in the main, are educated at The Portsmouth Grammar School and, as such we act as the choir school to the Cathedral. The choristers rehearse on weekday mornings at 0800 before a normal school day in preparation for the week's music.

The Choir also sings at various special services and events both locally across the diocese and internationally, and has toured Belgium, Holland, Sweden, France, Estonia, Sweden and more recently Germany. At home in the UK they have also sung at St Paul's Cathedral, the Queen's private chapel at St George's in Windsor Castle and at Westminster Abbey. The Cathedral Choir maintains strong links with the Royal Navy and takes part in a number of services for them. Highlights include the annual Royal Marines Band Service and the Second Sea Lord’s carol service on HMS Victory and we will particularly delighted to aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for her commissioning.

Boys are normally recruited into the choir in Year 3 (aged 7-8) but it is always possible to join the choir in Years 4-9.

If you would like more information please contact the organist of the Cathedral, Dr David Price on organist@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Portsmouth Cathedral Girl Choristers (Cantate)

Cantate was founded in September 2006. The Choir is made up of 24 girls who are, in the main, are educated at The Portsmouth Grammar School. Cantate sings Evensong at 1800 each Thursday in Portsmouth Cathedral during term time and occasionally on Sundays.

In 2018 the choir broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, toured Cyprus and sang at the 100^th Anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Royal Naval Nursing Service. They are regularly invited to sing away from Portsmouth, most notably at Lambeth Palace, Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral and toured Iceland in February 2019.

Auditions will be taking place during June and July for entry to the choir in September. Entry is open to girls aged 8–18. Choral Scholarships are available to girls and boys entering the Sixth Form at The Portsmouth Grammar School.

For further details please contact organist@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk