The Cathedral Choir forms the basis of the choral programme. Their repertoire spans ancient plainsong to the present day, and includes a number of anthems, canticles and settings by local composers. In addition to this, the choir regularly sings major settings by Palestrina, Byrd, Victoria, Haydn, Schubert, Mozart, Widor and Vierne, as well as the “traditional” English repertoire of Darke, Sumsion, Stanford, Howells and others. The great orchestral settings are performed on major feast days and are accompanied by our resident orchestra, Christ Church Camerata.

The choir presents a number of annual “special” liturgies, in which music features prominently. These services include a Tenebrae liturgy in Holy Week, and the celebrated Advent Carols Service and Traditional Nine Lessons and Carols at Christmas, among others. On the concert platform, the choir has presented performance of Handel’s Messiah, in addition to a number of other performances at the Cathedral and around our diocese.

 

The St Nicholas Choir is a training choir for children aged 8 and up. The choir sings at occasional services in the Cathedral and proves a very popular choice for weddings.

During rehearsals, choristers not only receive tuition on vocal technique, but also basic musicianship and aural skills. Many St Nicholas choristers have gone on to become regular members of the Cathedral Choir.

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Join the Christ Church Cathedral Choir!

Applications are now open for new choristers.

SCHOLARSHIPS are available for full-time students (secondary/tertiary) click here

To apply please complete and submit the form below.

Please read the following information before you apply:

At the heart of Christ Church Cathedral’s music program is the work of the Cathedral Choir. The Choir sings for services each Sunday, as well as for a range of other services, concerts and events throughout the year, with engaging repertoire that covers many styles and spans 1500 years.

Our choristers share their love of music in the extraordinary acoustics and architecture of Christ Church Cathedral, working with Director of Music David Banney, Organist-in-Residence David Drury, and a variety of visiting musicians and ensembles. The choir makes recordings and international tours, with a future tour of England currently in planning. The choir enjoys a range of formal and informal social activities, and is a great source of friendship and support to its members.

How much time is involved?  
The choir rehearses each Friday evening from 5.30-7pm, (with breaks in school holidays), and sings for two services each Sunday. Some choristers sing at every service, while others commit to one service each week or a number of services each month. Please contact the Director of Music for more information about the schedule
and what sort of commitment is required.

How much does it cost?
It’s free! And if you are a student of the Newcastle Cathedral College of Music, you may be eligible to receive a scholarship through the Friends of Newcastle Cathedral Music Fund.

Who can join?
Anyone over the age of sixteen may apply. Some music reading skills are necessary, but
no previous choral experience is required.

Safe Ministries
To ensure the safety of all who work and worship at the Cathedral, all choristers must abide by the Safe Ministries policies of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, which can be found here: https://www.newcastleanglican.org.au/governance/safe-ministry/

Choristers under 18 years of age

We welcome choristers as young as sixteen years of age, but for choristers under eighteen we must have written permission from a parent or guardian for you to sing in the choir.

How to apply:
Complete the Application Form and submit it by March 23. For more information email us at
music@newcastlecathedral.org.au