Music, and choral music in particular, is a crucial part of an Anglican’s DNA. We believe that in the beauty of human creativity through the vehicles of art and music, we are more fully able to glimpse the divine.
In both the United Kingdom and in Europe, churches and schools have been partnering for hundreds of years to foster chorister programs. These partnerships, while giving children an immersive experience in singing, music theory, history, and leadership, also benefit their families by subsidizing their school tuition. For the churches’ part, their ministry and mission is strengthened by the beautiful music provided by choristers at their services.
For 150 years, Christ Church Cathedral has been a centre of sacred choral and instrumental music, ranking among Victoria’s most important musical institutions. The newly established children’s Chorister Program, founded in 2017 through a partnership between Christ Church Cathedral and The Cathedral School (1990), is the only school-based, fully immersive Anglican Cathedral Chorister program of its kind in Canada, and one of only a handful in North America.
Our Mission:
- To provide choristers with a world-class musical education
- To create a challenging and supportive atmosphere conducive to hard work, focus, fun, and reward
- To foster mentorship between older and younger choristers, and supportive relationships between peers
- To cultivate the joy of learning and discovery in each chorister
- To deliver excellent music in cathedral services
- To promote the Anglican Choral Tradition within the wider community
HEAR THEM SING (produced by CTV Vancouver Island)
Choristers range from 7 to 13 year old (grades 3 to 8) and rehearse at the Cathedral four mornings per week before school. Choristers attend the Cathedral School and receive a generous tuition scholarship toward their school fees.
In 2019, they toured to Seattle and sang with counterparts at St Mark's Cathedral. In 2021, they will embark on their first overseas tour to the United Kingdom.
For more information about how to apply, please contact Donald Hunt, Director of Music. dhunt@christchurchcathedral.bc.ca
We wish to thank the Anglican Foundation of Canada, The Barraclough Foundation and the NRS Foundation through the Victoria Foundation for their generous support of the young Choristers of Christ Church Cathedral, a fully immersive program of choral music education for children, based at the Cathedral School.
