Winchester Cathedral has a long tradition of training choristers, and the choir is rightly regarded throughout the world as one of the great cathedral choirs of England. Originally, the boy choristers were part of the great Benedictine Priory of Winchester associated with the pilgrim Shrine of St Swithun. Since the Reformation, they have been an integral part of the services at this thriving diocesan Cathedral.

All the boy choristers are educated at The Pilgrims’ School, the Cathedral choir school, where they lead a challenging but rewarding life with a full schedule. Choir practice takes place daily, and each day the boys also have instrumental practice at the school, usually on two instruments. Many choristers gain valuable music scholarships to senior schools.

Quite apart from their academic studies and regular Cathedral services, the Choristers are involved in radio and television broadcasts, CD recordings and concerts. They have taken part in both the 2014 and 2015 BBC Prom concerts.

Boys audition for the choir when they are 8 years old, and the first year in the choir is a probationary year, during which the chorister learns how to sight read music and becomes familiar with some of the vast repertoire of the sung liturgy. At the beginning of their second year, boys usually become full choristers, singing at evensong and Sunday services on a regular basis, as well as taking part in the major festivals of Easter and Christmas.