Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, is unique: it functions as the Cathedral of
the Diocese of Oxford and as the Chapel of the College. Built in the twelfth
century, it is one of the smallest Anglican Cathedrals in the country.
Music has always played an important part in the life of the Cathedral. There are three regular choirs: the Cathedral Choir, the Cathedral Singers and the College Choir. Founded in the sixteenth century, the Cathedral Choir comprises sixteen boys and twelve men. When the Cathedral Choir is on vacation, many services are sung by the Cathedral Singers, a voluntary choir of men and women from the Diocese. The College Choir sings evensong on Mondays during the University's Full Term.
Throughout its history, the Cathedral Choir has attracted many distinguished composers and organists, including its first director, John Taverner, appointed by Cardinal Wolsey in 1526, William Walton, and its present director (known as the Organist), Stephen Darlington. The Organist has three assistants: the Sub-Organist, whose position is full-time, and two organ scholars, both of whom are undergraduates at the College. The organ scholars remain at Christ Church for three years in order to study for a degree in music.
The boys are auditioned at the age of seven. If a boy's musical ability reaches the required standard, he is invited to join the Choir as a probationer and to attend Christ Church Cathedral School. The school educates about one hundred boys, sixteen of whom are Cathedral choristers. A probationer will be admitted into the Choir as a chorister after a year. During this first year, he will be trained in vocal technique, basic music theory, sight-reading and psalm-singing and he will be introduced to much of the standard repertoire as well as being taught how to work as part of a team within a professional environment.
The men are divided into four altos, four tenors and four basses. Six men are lay clerks, professional singers who audition to join the Choir full-time. The other six are academical clerks, undergraduates who have to pass both a vocal audition in order to join the Choir and an academic interview in order to study for a degree at the College. The academical clerks are allowed to study for a degree in any subject, although many choose music.
Here is a typical week in the Choir's calendar:
MONDAY 8-9am practice (boys) TUESDAY 8-9am practice (boys) 5-5.45pm rehearsal (full) 6.05pm Evensong (full) WEDNESDAY 8-9am practice (boys) 5-5.45pm rehearsal (men) 6.05pm Evensong (men) THURSDAY 8-9am practice (boys) 5-5.45pm rehearsal (full) 6.05pm Eucharist (full) FRIDAY 8-9am practice (boys) 5-5.45pm rehearsal (full) 6.05pm Evensong (full) SATURDAY 8-9am practice (boys) 4.45-5.45pm rehearsal (full) 6.05pm Evensong (full) SUNDAY 9-9.45am practice (boys) 9.50-10am rehearsal (full) 10.05am Matins 11.15am Eucharist 5-5.45pm rehearsal (full) 6.05pm Evensong (full)
The main function of the Cathedral Choir is to sing the daily services in the Cathedral. The Choir is normally in residence for about 32 weeks a year: from September until Christmas Day, from January until Easter Day, and from May until July. On top of this, the choir's international reputation leads to a busy programme of concerts, broadcasts, recordings and overseas tours throughout the year.
A glance at the Cathedral music list (published every month) reveals the Choir's extensive repertoire. Under its present director, the Choir is renowned for its interpretation of Renaissance and Contemporary music. The Choir's discography includes many award-winning recordings. Recently, the Choir was the subject of a Channel 4 television documentary, Howard Goodall's Organ Works, in which it was described as "one of the finest choirs on earth".
The organ in Christ Church Cathedral has a long and fascinating history. The present instrument was built by Rieger in the late 1970's. The four manuals and 52 stops are controlled by a mechanical action. The organ can be heard every day except Fridays, when the Choir sings Evensong unaccompanied.
Further information on Christ Church Cathedral Choir can be found at www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/music/index.html.
