The Choir

The different choirs within our Music Department

• Byrd Song - School Year 2-4

  We are delighted to have launched Byrd Song in the summer of 2021, a new choir in Wakefield offering the opportunity for both boys and girls in Year 2-4 to experience the world of the Cathedral Choir.

  We are currently recruiting for choristers to join the choir and Byrd Song is a wonderful chance for your child to find out more about being in the choir, offering a taster of what could be to come in future years.

  Each year, we offer opportunities to boys and girls from around Wakefield and the surrounding area to join one of the many choirs we have at the cathedral.

  The benefits are endless – educationally, it builds a range of skills and attributes which improve other areas of learning. It improves health and well-being in body and mind. Socially, the choristers learn to work with new-found friends in the choir, building their confidence and gaining many other skills. There is also no fee to join the choir – they even receive modest ‘choir pay’ at the end of each term.

  Rehearsals take place every Saturday morning from 09:30-10:30 at the cathedral, with occasional performances at selected services throughout the year.

  To find out more about Byrd Song download our booklet below or contact Alana Brook, Assistant Director of Music by calling 01924 373923 or email ADoM@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk.

• The Choir - School Year 4-9

  The Cathedral Choir consists of both boys and girls (school years 4-9) that provide two separate groups both singing the top line. They sing separately most of the time, giving each group their own musical and social identity but sometimes merge for larger services such as Christmas and Easter.

  On Thursday and Sunday, they sing alongside a number of adult Lay Clerks behind them providing the alto, tenor and bass parts.

  The choir sings Choral Evensong on Tuesday (boys), Wednesday (girls), Thursday (full choir) and Sunday (alternate weekends), with a greater involvement at the Sunday services.

  On top of this weekly commitment, our choir can be seen performing at various special services and concerts throughout the year alongside visits – be it to fellow UK cathedrals or even on foreign tours.

  To find out more about the Cathedral Choir download our booklet below or contact James Bowstead, Director of Music by calling 01924 373923 or email DoM@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk.

• Youth Choir - School Year 10-13

  The Youth Choir at Wakefield Cathedral is made up of students from Year 10 through to Upper Sixth, performing a wide range of music from traditional choral favourites through to classical and modern numbers.

  Many of our Choristers go on to join the Youth Choir upon completing Year 9, but we also actively encourage any individuals wishing to find out more about joining The Youth Choir contact Alana Brook, Assistant Director of Music by calling 01924 373923 or email ADoM@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk.

• Lay Clerks

  Wakefield Cathedral is fortunate to have a talented group of Lay Clerks, made up of professional and semi-professional singers providing the alto, tenor and bass parts to the cathedral choir.

  Our Lay Clerks contribute to many important services and events throughout the year, with rehearsals taking place on Thursday evenings at the cathedral.

  If you would like to find out more about the role of Lay Clerks and whether it is something which may be right for you please contact James Bowstead, Director of Music by calling 01924 373923 or email DoM@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk to arrange an initial informal discussion.

• Consort Sopranos

  The cathedral choir is also supported on a regular basis by a selection of Consort Sopranos.

  The soprano line is most often sung by the children in the cathedral choir but our wonderful Consort Sopranos sing instead every few weeks.

  If you would like to find out more about the role of Consort Sopranos and whether it is something which may be right for you please contact James Bowstead, Director of Music by calling 01924 373923 or email DoM@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk to arrange an initial informal discussion.