Join our Junior Choir!
Junior Choir is a wonderful opportunity to learn music (theory and practice), contribute month by month to the services at St Michael’s, and have a lot of fun along the way. All children in year 3 and above are most welcome to join – no prior musical experience is needed.
Click here to see a review of a typical Junior Choir year…
The link above shows some of the extra optional activities we do such as: cathedral visits, a carol concert at the Leonardo Hotel, barbecues, training courses, and more.
Training
Our Junior Choir gives children the opportunity to be part of the centuries-old tradition of English church music that is envied the world over. Choristers receive a thorough training in music, with free singing and music theory tuition following the RSCM’s Voice for Life training scheme.
Andrew Hanley (St Michael’s Director of Music) is a professional musician with comprehensive knowledge of choral music, and Rebecca Aspin and Paul Kuzan, who lead the juniors’ training programme, are experienced musicians, choristers and teachers of music. They are helped by a team of scholars and other senior choir members.
Everyone involved in training our younger singers is checked and supervised in accordance with the parish’s safeguarding policy.
What does it cost?
Membership is absolutely free! From time to time outings or trips may be organised which may have an associated cost, but we try to subsidise these where possible, and we often get group rates. We also run occasional fund-raising events like a quiz or barbecue, to help with purchases like music, instruments, and workbooks.
Is it a big commitment?
Our normal routine is:
– Choir practice: Wednesdays in term-time from 6.30 – 7.45pm
– One Sunday morning service per month (including rehearsal): 9.15 – 11.15 (usually on the first Sunday of each month in term-time)
Occasionally there are optional extra services, and events like weddings (for which choristers are paid!) Our “senior-juniors” (those in year 6 and above) also get additional opportunities to sing with the senior choir, if they wish to do so. We don’t sing in the school holidays, nor are there Wednesday practices for juniors in half-terms (though there usually is a Half-term Singing Event in the autumn and spring).
Who can join?
Children may join the Junior Choir from school Year 3, and are usually aged 7 to 15. Prior experience and musical skills are not necessary, and children do not need a religious background. We only look for enthusiasm and a willingness to sing! After year 9 (and sometimes before), young choristers normally rehearse and sing with the adult members of the choir (Wednesdays 7.30-8.30pm) with continued training available for those following the “Voice for Life” programme.
The choir also offers opportunities to sing at other events, cathedrals, and singing courses such as the RSCM singing course, which was held in Beverley, Yorkshire, in 2025 (see photos below).
What's the next step?
If you’d like to discuss the choir further, come and see us at St Michael’s on a Sunday or email us. We’re always very happy to have an informal chat with parents.
Children need parental consent to participate in the choir. You can fill in your details and request your starting date by clicking on the button below…
