On Saturday 13 November, Norwich School welcomed 39 children with an interest in singing to join us for our annual Be a Chorister Day.

The children were aged from Year 4 and above and came from all over Norfolk, and even as far as London, to experience what life might be like for them as a Norwich Cathedral Chorister at Norwich School.

The day began with a welcome in the South Transept, after which the children were given their first opportunity to sing in the cathedral, led by Singing Coach Rebecca Duckworth. They then headed over to the School’s Blake Studio, where they had a smashing (and noisy!) time in a drumming workshop before heading to the Refectory to re-join their parents for a wonderful lunch prepared by our catering team. In the meantime, parents had the opportunity to hear about life as a chorister, in presentations and a Q&A led by Head of Norwich School, Steffan Griffiths, and Master of Music for the Cathedral, Ashley Grote.

The afternoon was a chance for the children to experience the Song School, where the Master of Music took them through vocal exercises and taught them the songs which they later performed in front of their parents at a special Evensong Service in the Cathedral Nave.

Gemma Bailey, Admissions Secretary, said :

“Be a Chorister Day is one of my favourite events in the school calendar - it is a wholly positive and exciting experience for the children that attend. Some of the children may never have even visited the cathedral before, so to be able to be a part of a special Evensong service whilst giving them the opportunity to do so within such an incredibly beautiful space, we hope, creates a lasting memory for the children and their parents. It is also a privilege for us to see how they develop, grow in confidence and blend together just during the course of one day.”