Music performed in the English Choral Tradition is at the heart of worship at Southwark Cathedral. This beautiful and uplifting music is freely available to worshippers and visitors.
The Cathedral’s rich musical tradition is sustained without the fee-paying Choir School found at many other cathedrals. The Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs are open to any boy or girl who demonstrates the musical ability required through open audition. Choristers come from different social and ethnic backgrounds, and from both state and independent schools.
Membership of the Choirs is free, and choristers receive an excellent musical education that their parents may not otherwise be able to afford. However, the costs of the Choirs to the Cathedral are considerable, approximately £260,000 per year.
The Cathedral seeks financial support for the Choirs so worship can continue to be enriched by music, and the choristers can continue to receive exceptional training. There are a variety of ways to do this. You can make a one-off or regular donation, sponsor a chorister, or consider leaving a legacy in your will to the Choirs Endowment Fund (which produces an annual income to support the cost of Cathedral music).
If you would like to support our Cathedral Choirs, please click here.