Photos by Emma Solley
Our Voice Trials usually take place at the end of January or in early February (for boys and girls aged 7-9 years), but Timothy Noon would always be pleased to hear potential Choristers for a preliminary audition at any stage of the year and this can be arranged by contacting Exeter Cathedral School.
What to Expect at the Voice Trial?
This year’s Voice Trials will take place on:
Saturday 27 January 2024 (External pupils)
Saturday 3 February 2024 (Current Exeter Cathedral School pupils)
All candidates and parents/guardians are asked to arrive at the main entrance of the Cathedral during the morning (the time will be confirmed nearer to the time, once final numbers are known. Candidates may wear any casual, comfortable clothes and should bring the music for their prepared song and any musical instrument(s) as appropriate.
The children will receive an individual audition assessed by Timothy Noon (the Cathedral’s Director of Music) and Michael Stephens-Jones (Assistant Director of Music).
The children’s assessments will include:
- Singing a prepared song or hymn (this does not need to be anything complicated; it should be a song that your child is familiar with and really enjoys singing). It is extremely helpful if children bring the musical accompaniment for their prepared piece with them so that Mr Noon can accompany them;
- Playing a musical instrument if applicable (this is not compulsory);
- Ear tests e.g. singing notes played on the piano; tests of musicality. We will do our very best to put the children at ease and make the occasion an enjoyable one for them as we want them to do their best and to be relaxed, happy and confident.
We will do our very best to put the children at ease and make the occasion an enjoyable one for them as we want them to do their best and to be relaxed, happy and confident.
The Decision Process
Following the Voice Trial day, the Cathedral Director of Music, the Headmaster, the Assistant Head and a member of the Cathedral Clergy will meet to discuss the results from all the assessments. We will hope to inform parents of decisions within one week of the Voice Trial day.
It is important to understand that auditions for the Cathedral Choir are necessarily a very selective process and not everyone can succeed. The number of places is strictly limited in any given year and younger candidates may be encouraged to return for a further voice audition the following year if their voices have not yet developed sufficiently. It is also perhaps worthy of note that several of our current and past Choristers had unsuccessful auditions here or elsewhere before they were offered a Choristership.