There has been a choir at the Cathedral since the time of its consecration.
There has been a choir at the Cathedral since the time of its consecration in 1844 and the first Director of Music, Edmund Hart-Turpin, went on to cofound the Royal College of Organists. A distinguished tradition of plainsong was maintained during the twentieth century, not least by Peter Smedley who directed an all-male choir until 1979 when the choir once again became a mixed ensemble. The introduction of Choral Scholars by Neil Page in 2003 transformed the capabilities of the Cathedral Choir which has gone from strength to strength since.
Today, the choir combines local volunteers with Choral Scholars from the city’s two universities and four Lay Clerks. A wide range of repertoire is grounded in plainsong and polyphony, but includes works from across the world and across the ages.
The Director of Music from December 2025 is Dr Peter Siepmann. Prior to his appointment to the Cathedral, Peter was Organist & Director of Music at St Peter’s Church in Nottingham for eighteen years, and has conducted Nottingham Bach Choir since 2019. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and is well-known in the region for his enthusiastic, encouraging and informed approach to rehearsal and performance.
Joining the Cathedral Choir
Routine & Commitment
The Choir sings for the Solemn Mass on Sunday mornings at 11.15am. As a cathedral church, there are regular additional services and Diocesan events through the year particularly, of course, around the Easter Triduum and Christmas time which are always particular highlights of the experience!
The Cathedral Choir rehearses on a Wednesday evening, 7.15 – 8.45pm. The choir enjoys a two-week break following Christmas and Easter, and does not usually sing during August (although there is often a Summer Tour!).
Members of the choir are expected to be able to commit to most if not all of the services for which the Choir is asked to sing (term-time only for students), but it is recognised that volunteer singers may not be able to be present 100% of the time, and there is a simple online system for indicating planned absence.
Atmosphere and Auditions
The choir is known for its friendliness and warmth of welcome as it is for its high musical standards. Although an appreciation and respect for the Catholic liturgy is important, all singers are welcome to audition for the choir irrespective of their own religious beliefs. The atmosphere during rehearsals is fast-paced, focussed and musically detailed, but also positive, collegial, supportive and enjoyable.
Prospective new singers are invited to join the choir for a Wednesday evening rehearsal, during which a short and informal audition with the Director of Music will be held, who will be looking for:
- A positive and friendly approach
- A clear, pleasant tone of voice and a good sense of intonation
- An ability to project
- An ability to learn new music quickly
- An ability to sing music at sight
- The ability to respond to advice
- Vocal range
The audition will comprise:
- Singing through a passage of a piece from earlier in the rehearsal
- An exploration of range
- Singing through a pre-prepared passage of plainsong
- Singing through a previously unseen piece of polyphony
- A discussion of previous experience
Choral Scholarships
The Cathedral currently offers four scholarships to students in full-time tertiary education. These scholarships are awarded to particularly promising singers who can act as leaders in their section. In recognition of this contribution and commitment, choral scholars receive an annual award of £1,200 (as of 2024/25). Further details of this scheme are available on request.
Lay Clerks
The Cathedral currently offers four paid lay clerk positions. The Lay Clerks form the professional core of the choir. Further details of this scheme are available on request.
What next?
If, having read this guidance, you are enthused and inspired to apply to join the Choir, please contact the Director of Music at [email protected], explaining your choral experience and outlining the extent to which you meet the audition requirements above. We look forward to hearing from you!
