The musical foundation of Chichester Cathedral consists of the organist and master of the choristers, the assistant organist and the organ scholar; together with six singing men (called lay vicars), eighteen choristers, six probationers – and including a head chorister and a senior chorister (deputy head) who both wear a notable medallion on a red ribbon according to their office held. The choristers and probationers are all boarders at the Prebendal School, the cathedral's choir school. The lay vicars are professional singers who all have everyday jobs.
During school term, the cathedral has eight sung services a week. As well as singing, choristers learn the piano and an orchestral instrument, spending at least eighteen hours a week on musical performance.
Appearances
Evensong is sung by the choir every day, with the exception of Wednesday. Additionally, on Sunday, Mattins and Eucharist are sung in the morning.
Each year, the choir appears at the Chichester Festival Theatre at Christmas where they sing Christmas concerts alongside local school choirs, including the Bishop Luffa School Choir, and are accompanied by the Band of HM Royal Marines, Portsmouth. They sing a variety of carols and are directed by the organist and master of the choristers. The choristers return to the Prebendal School in the interval and Close Company perform.
The choir sing at the Chichester Festivities each year in a concert called "Chichester Cathedral Choir By Candelight". The programme normally consists of music by composers who are being commemorated that year. As tradition follows, the choir leave the stage and exit the cathedral, carrying candles and singing a hymn, "The Day thou Gavest Lord is Ended". It is one of the festival's perennial favourites. In the concert, there are also solo items played by the assistant organist and organ scholar. The ensemble accompanying the choir also performs its own piece.
They also participate in the Southern Cathedrals Festival with the cathedral choirs of Winchester and Salisbury. They have taken part in this annual festival since it was first established in 1904. The choir stays at the hosting cathedral's choir school. The choir perform concerts, sing Evensong and participate in masterclasses.
The choir has appeared with many different artists including Petula Clark, Richard Stilgoe, the King's Singers, the Cambridge Buskers, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and Cantabile. Television appearances have included Placido' Domingo's Christmas programme and Rumpole of the Bailey.
In 2009 their recording of Christmas music won the Critics Christmas Choice of the Year award in both Gramophone Magazine and BBC Music Magazine.
Tours
Each year, the choir visits churches in the Diocese of Chichester and sing Evensong. They also frequently tour other countries with links to Chichester Cathedral.
Choir tours since 1998 include:
2017 - Leiden and Haarlem, Holland
2015 – Chartres, France
2013 – Bamberg & Bayreuth, Germany
2011 – Ravenna, Italy
2010 – Berlin, Germany
2007 – Bamberg, Germany
2006 – Chartres, France
2006 – Lessay, France
2005 – Cape Town, South Africa
2000 – Bamberg, Germany
2002 – Bayreuth, Germany
1998 – Chartres, France
Recordings
Recordings since 1976 include:
2018 - Lest We Forget
2016 – Long, long ago
2016 – The Complete Psalms of David: Volume 10, Series 2
2016 – Music for Lent and Passiontide
2013 – The Day Thou Gavest
2012 – Advent Procession
2010 – Holst in Chichester
2009 – Carols from Chichester Cathedral
2007 – Jubilate
2007 – Let Us Lift Up Our Heart: 19th Century Church Music
1999 – Benedicite
1997 – Sing Ye to the Lord
1996 – Chichester Commissions
1996 – Great Cathedral Anthems Vol. 7
1994 – Malcolm Archer: Requiem
1991 – Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Vol. 2
1991 – The Welkin Rings
1984 – 19th Century Church Music by Goss, Ousely, Smart, Stainer and S.S. Wesley
1984 – Cathedral Music by Geoffrey Burgon
1977 – Christmas in Chichester
1976 – In Quires and Places...