Gloucester Cathedral and The King’s School invite budding child carol singers to try out to become a chorister

For immediate release

Gloucester Cathedral and The King’s School invite budding child carol singers to try out to become a chorister.

It is the time of year to sing! Children all around Gloucestershire are bringing joy to churches, school halls, carol services, retirement homes and doorsteps singing carols.

If you know a child who would jump at the opportunity to sing in the Gloucester Cathedral choir, the chorister voice trials could be a gateway to a new future for them.

Gloucester Cathedral and The King’s School Gloucester are looking for talented girls and boys from Years 2, 3 and 4 to take part in their chorister voice trials this coming March.

The dates for the voice trials are:

• Wednesday 4th March 2026 – Girls

• Thursday 5th March 2026 - Boys

The deadline for applications is Friday 6th February 2026.

No formal training is required to take part in the trials. Each child is asked to bring along one song that he or she enjoys singing: this might be a hymn, a carol, or a song from a show.

Choristers experience a truly unique way of life and benefit from a wonderfully enriching musical, academic and cultural education. Whilst the life of a chorister is a demanding one, requiring talent and dedication all year round, it is also hugely rewarding. Choristers are educated at the award-winning King's School Gloucester, which features in The Good Schools Guide, and they benefit from a generous choral scholarship whilst they are choristers.

Choristers play an integral role in worship at Gloucester Cathedral, sing in its regular services, as well as having the opportunity to take part in exciting concerts and festivals — including the prestigious Three Choirs Festival held this summer in Gloucester Cathedral.

David Morton, Headmaster at The King’s School, said:

“Life as a chorister at King’s is challenging, exciting and varied. At school we work with the cathedral and choristers’ families to provide a wide-ranging academic and co-curricular education, the benefits of which last for life. It is exciting now to welcome the next generation of chorister voices into the King’s community”

Adrian Partington, Cathedral Director of Music, said:

“We are delighted to open our 2026 voice trials to the children of Gloucestershire and are looking forward to meeting new would-be choristers for our voice trials in March. Life as a chorister is like being part of another family and we are so pleased to be inviting new members to join this special community.”

Clive, a current Chorister Parent, added:

“Being a Cathedral Chorister and studying at King's is an amazing, meaningful and uplifting experience. We as parents thrive from the strong social connections between the choir and the school and often feel we are participating in something "bigger than oneself”. Seeing Bertie lead in worship or perform a complex piece of music makes us very proud parents. Bertie loves his academic life as a Chorister and King’s School student. Although it’s a rigorous commitment, he has excelled due to the close liaison and well-balanced programme.”

To find out more about the chorister voice trial visit: https://www.thekingsschool.co.uk/about-us/choristers

About King’s School: King’s is one of the seven famous Cathedral Schools established by Henry VIII in 1541. A thriving, forward-thinking, independent day school with over 700 pupils. King’s welcomes boys and girls, aged 3 to 18, offering academic excellence and a celebrated range of co-curricular activities, underpinned by outstanding pastoral care. www.thekingsschool.co.uk

About Gloucester Cathedral: www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk

About Choir Schools’ Association: The King's School is an active member of the Choir Schools’ Association which represents 46 schools attached to Cathedrals, Churches and College Chapels. The Choir Schools’ Association provides members with training, networking and opportunities to share best practice to help them offer the best possible experience to the choristers in their care. Headmaster of King’s, Mr David Morton, is the Chair of the Association. www.choirschools.org.uk

ENDS

For more media information, please email Fran Boughton or Elspeth Keep:

Elspeth.keep@gloucestercathedral.org.uk / f.boughton@thekingsschool.co.uk

Photography credits: Clive Barzillia and Kieran Hunt