We are proud to be the Choir School for York Minster. We are responsible for educating York Minster’s girl and boy choristers, ensuring the continuance of a centuries-old choral tradition.
The shared heritage between St Peter’s School and York Minster can be traced back to the year AD627, when the School and the Minster were founded in the same year and on the same site by St Paulinus of York. Today, St Peter’s School is the second oldest choir school in England and the fourth oldest school in the world.
Why be a Chorister?
Becoming a chorister is a life-changing opportunity. Choristers develop key skills, make friends for life, and discover a joy of music that will last a lifetime.
Choristers benefit from an outstanding all-round education at St Peter’s School alongside the chance to sing in one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals each day. All choristers benefit from a substantial reduction in school fees and 100% means-tested bursaries are available.
Choristers also take part in recordings, live TV and radio broadcasts, and international tours.
Life as a Chorister
Life as a chorister is fun and inspiring, with each day bringing new adventures and opportunities.
There are 16 girl and 16 boy choristers at York Minster who collectively sing with 12 adult singers at eight services each week as part of the world-class York Minster Choir. Their daily routine is carefully scheduled to make sure that the choristers can take full advantage of other exciting opportunities offered by the school too, such as extra-curricular activities.
Daily Routine
A typical day in the life of a chorister includes a rehearsal before school starts (Tuesday - Friday), followed by one rehearsal and two Choral Evensongs after school. The boys and girls share these duties equally, so each child sings Choral Evensong every other day.
At weekends there are four services at the Minster, which are also shared and Choristers sing either on the Saturday or Sunday on alternate weeks with termly breaks on exeat weekends. This schedule starts in their second year, and for the first year Probationers sing services only in the summer term, having begun a rehearsal schedule at the beginning of their probationary year.
Being a chorister is fun and rewarding and choristers become very efficient time managers.
I really like the school. The Music Department is amazing and having facilities like the science labs is great. The grounds are big and I have lots of friends. I love being a chorister because I love the music and the services, and I feel calm when I sing.
Lola, current chorister
Applying
You can apply in Year 3 for entry in Year 4, where spots are reserved for choristers.
If you would like to find out more information, please email our Admissions Team on [email protected] or call on 01904 527300 for an informal chat.
FAQs
Choristerships offer a wonderful opportunity for children to develop professional level singing and musical skills in a world-class environment. Any child with a love of singing is welcome to audition when they reach Year 3.
Parents and children have to be ready for the time commitment but should be reassured that the welfare of the children is paramount and they are never pushed beyond their limits.
If you are thinking of applying, the best thing to do is to contact us so that you can hear more about the opportunity.
Children are asked to prepare a song in advance - Away in a Manger is a popular choice!
They will sing that for York Minster's Director of Music and do some aural exercises with him. We will also ask them to do some group singing games with another member of the York Minster music staff.
Once the audition is complete, we will indicate whether or not they have been successful before the entrance assessments for St Peter's School.
We do not want any child to be deterred from applying for a choristership for financial reasons.
All choristers receive substantial funding towards St Peter's school fees.
If families feel that they are unable to afford the balance of the fees they are encouraged to apply for a means-tested bursary.
Additional means-tested funding may also be available from the Choir Schools' Association.
Choristers can also apply for means-tested bursary after their Choristership to ensure that they can continue their education through to St Peter's 13-18.
The aim is for choristers to come from the City of York and surrounding areas so most of our choristers are day pupils. There may be some opportunity for older choristers in Year 7 and Year 8 to board, please contact us for more information.