Performer Profile
Gloucester Cathedral Choir
Today's choir is the successor to the boys and monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, who sang for daily worship nine centuries ago. The Choir of today stems from that established by Henry VIII in 1539, consisting of 20 choristers (who receive generous scholarships to attend neighbouring King's School), 9 lay clerks and 3 choral scholars.
The Choir takes a major part in the renowned annual Three Choirs Festival, the world's oldest Music Festival, dating back to 1715. This is held in Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford in rotation. In August 2007 the Three Choirs Festival was held in Gloucester.
In addition to the main work of the daily Cathedral services the Choir receives many invitations for outside engagements. The choir has sung on many BBC Radio 3 broadcasts, Midnight Mass live on BBC Television, a concert in the Cheltenham Music Festival, a sixteen day concert tour in the USA and for a film on the life of Vaughan Williams. The choir has also recently performed with the Philharmonia, Premier Brass, Florilegium, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
