The Music Foundation
Music is the lifeblood of Exeter Cathedral. It has been for hundreds of years. Our choir and music team enrich daily worship and special occasions in Devon, and their concert performances bring joy to audiences around the world.
Our musical life brings incalculable benefits to the young lives of our choristers and scholars too. Time and again, it has changed the trajectory of lives in ways that could never have been imagined. It teaches life skills and values such as teamwork, trust and responsibility, and provides world-class performance opportunities which will be remembered for a lifetime.
At Exeter Cathedral, we want to continue to build a community of choristers and musical scholars that offers opportunity to all, regardless of race, gender or social background.
For over 30 years, the Music Foundation has provided critical financial support to sustain Exeter Cathedral’s musical tradition. It funds choral outreach work, robes and sheet music, maintenance of the Cathedral organs, as well as scholarships for choristers, choral scholars, organ scholars and much more.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that had I not been a Chorister at Exeter Cathedral, I would not be singing on the operatic stage around the world at the highest level possible.
Be part of the creation of the Musician’s Window in our new Cloister Gallery: Punctators Emeritus Appeal
As part of our Adopt a Stone scheme we invite you to contribute to a dedicated Musicians’ Window. Formed with a most amazing view through the buttress arches of the Cathedral, the window is the first window visitors will discover as they enter the Cloister Gallery. By donating you will be supporting our Music Foundation which supports, through its annual grant and investments, the future of our wonderful music tradition, the careers of young professional musicians and our music outreach programme which brings the joy of singing to school children across the county.
Opening this year, our new Cloister Gallery is one of Exeter Cathedral’s most significant building projects in over 500 years. Be part of this historic moment by adopting a stone and, as a token of our thanks, receive a special red and gold lapel badge, a 2024 edition Adopt a Stone Certificate with your dedication, personally signed by the Dean of Exeter, and, have your name recorded in our book of donors to be kept in the Cathedral’s archive.
Adopting a Stone
You can adopt a stone for yourself or for a person of your choice – as a gift for a birthday or anniversary, or in memory of someone special. By adopting one of the new Cloister Gallery stones, you become an important part of this project, and to say thank you, we will send you:
- A personalised Adopt a Stone certificate
- A Red and Gold Lapel Donor Badge, modelled on Exeter Cathedral’s Great West Window.
- We will also record your name in the Exeter Cathedral Donors’ Memorial Book
You can adopt a stone for yourself or for a person of your choice – as a gift for a birthday or anniversary, or in memory of someone special.
You can sponsor specific parts of the new building on request. Below are some example options and minimum donations:
• A block of Cloister Gallery stone from £100
• A large Cloister Gallery stone from £200
• A floor stone from £500
• A large floor stone from £1,000
• A window sill from £5,000
• A window section from £10,000
• A whole window from £25,000
• A doorway from £50,000
Please use the links below to download a Punctators Emeritus form, or to get in touch with our Development Team. Thank you.
Giving to the Music Foundation
A donation to the Music Foundation is not just a donation for present, but an investment in our musical future. Exeter Cathedral choristers are highly sought after. They take their music with them, and share it with those around them for many years after their time here, many as professional musicians.
Leave a gift in your will
Please contact us by email to learn more about supporting the work of the Exeter Cathedral Music Foundation with a gift in your will.
The Exeter Cathedral Music Foundation is a Registered Charity (No. 1204174)
Hold an Event to Support the Music Foundation
How you can help
- Purchase tickets and programmes for organ recitals and concerts
- Become a Patron of Music at Exeter Cathedral
- Sponsor an anthem or a Cathedral concert
- Contribute to the cost of commissioning new music for the Cathedral Choir.
- Sponsor an organ scholarship or choral scholarship
- Consider leaving a legacy or making a donation.
