Christchurch Priory Choirs
Last updated Tuesday, 18 March, 2025
Tradition & Innovation
Christchurch Priory has a long choral tradition. This rich cultural tradition continues today with our thriving and expanding music programme. The basic aim of all the choirs is the same: to lead and enhance the worshipping life of this church, whilst providing a practical and thorough musical education in a safe, supportive and friendly environment.
If you are interested in joining any of our Choirs, please contact our team on music@christchurchpriory.org.
Priory Choir - Choristers & Lower Voices
Regular Sunday services are led by the Priory Choir during term time: the separate groups of Boy and Girl Choristers, who each sing alongside the dedicated team of adults in the Lower Voices section. Entry is through a short, friendly and informal audition - Choristers do not need previous experience; just enthusiasm, commitment and a love of singing!
Main Contact for more information: Simon Earl, Director of Music
Professional Training
Choristers benefit from a free, extensive musical training from a team of professional musicians. This team is led by the Director of Music, Simon Earl. Working with him are David Beeby, Assistant Director of Music, and Geoffrey Morgan, Organist Emeritus. Other members of staff at the Priory are involved with the spiritual and pastoral care of all our musicians.
Choristers gain recognition of their developing skills by following an award scheme "Voice for Life - Digital" run by the Royal School of Church Music. They are presented with different coloured ribbons and medals in special ceremonies at Choral Evensong as they attain each level.
Choristers are paid for their work, and the amount is determined by experience, ribbon level and attendance rate. Extra fees are payable to choir members when they sing at weddings in the Priory.
Rehearsal Schedule
Thursdays:
* Boy Choristers, from 5.30pm
Fridays:
* Girl Choristers, from 6.00pm
* Lower Voices, 7.15-8.45pm
Sunday Services
The Boy and Girl Choristers sing with the Lower Voices in the morning or the evening, on alternating weeks:
9.15am - Rehearsal
10.00am - Sung Eucharist
5.30pm - Rehearsal
6.30pm - Choral Evensong
Special Services have separate arrangements, all noted on the Choir Diary, which is published at the start of the academic year.
Choir Tours & Social Events
The Choir has performed in many places - in the local community, at UK Cathedrals and on international tours. Our latest tour took us to Barcelona in 2024. The Choir sang for a Mass in the iconic Basilica Sagrada Familiar, followed by a Concert in the Crypt. Further performances took place in the great Monastery at Monserrat and in Girona.
In 2019, the Choir spent a week in Belgium, again singing in Services and Concerts at major Brussels, Ghent and Bruges Cathedrals, and in the moving "Last Post" ceremony at the Minin Gate.
In 2017 the Choir travelled to Venice, Padua and the surrounding area, singing in Services and Concerts at a number of places, most notably St Mark's Basilica.
As part of the social time on all of these overseas trips, the Choristers enjoyed some down-time at water parks and seeing something of the local sights. The Choir enjoys an active social programme throughout the year, including barbeques, outings to places such as Thorpe Park, and plenty of other activities. The Choir regularly performs with other choirs, recently including the choirs of Romsey Abbey, Wimborne Minster, St Peter's Bournemouth, Exeter Cathedral and Derby Cathedral.
Youth Choir
This inclusive choir gives opportunities to young people who enjoy singing to participate in termly projects. Students in Years 8-13 are encouraged to come along and experience the fun of singing together in a choir; whether they have lots of musical experience or none, they are most welcome. This doesn't require a weekly commitment; members come along to a workshop before a Service or Event.
Run by David Beeby, this choir covers a wide range of repertoire and musical styles, with regular opportunities both to participate in choral services at Christchurch Priory and to perform in the wider community. Apart from the singing, the Youth Choir members are encouraged to learn the skills of choral directing and composition (linking to GCSE and A-Level work if that's appropriate).
Main Contact for more information: David Beeby, Assistant Director of Music. Register your interest by clicking this link.
Chamber Choir
This auditioned mixed-voice adult choir is designed to explore more challenging areas of the choral repertoire. Good music reading skills are essential for this Choir. The Choir sings for some of the Festival Services during the year, including Ascension Day, the Easter Vigil and Midnight Mass. The Chamber Choir also sings a Requiem each year for All Souls Day. Rehearsals take place on one or two evenings preceding a Service.
Main Contact for more information: Simon Earl, Director of Music
Consort Choir
This friendly, open-to-all group offers opportunities to less-experienced adults wishing to enjoy singing together in a group. They rehearse every two weeks, and lead the music in Services at the Priory twice each term.
Main Contact for more information: Simon Earl, Director of Music
Visiting Choirs
During school holiday periods, our choirs take a well-deserved break, and we are pleased to present visiting choirs with the opportunity to sing in Services at Christchurch Priory.
Main Contact for more information: David Beeby, Assistant Director of Music