DD2 on the radio tomorrow!

[Theas18]

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p3nzl

They are also doing the radio WM carols over Xmas, but that's rather a low brow affair and they tend to cut the choir a lot compared with live and focus on the presenters . Last time the girls were fuming because the "best piece" in their eyes , was cut completely!

At least with choral evensong they cut the voluntary short if it overruns...

[pianomama]

Will be listening !

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

I will be too

[Theas18]

Thanks guys! I went and it was amazing! I think I'm very in love with the chap who sang the howels col reg bass solo I'm more than Old enough to be his mother

I love boy trebles, but I think listening to that, that girls can be trained to sing as well in the same style. You'd be hard pushed to tell on the radio girls or boys.

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

Just listened in iplayer as didn't manage yesterday. Lovely, thank you for drawing attention to it.

I'm quite new to choral evensong, I never really listened to it until DS2 became a chorister this year. Our girls are treated exactly on a par with the boys, they are the same age, sing two evensongs during the week each, alternate Sundays and a Full Choir of Girls and Boys on big occasions.

[Theas18]

Raspberry our girls sing at the same rate as the boys. Twice a week and one service on a Sunday. They are older than the boys at 11-18 ( as they don't retire them) though we have had junior probationers from age 9 (as dd2 was was one - as her big sis was already in the choir - at that point ds was also singing with the boys so I lived there!).

Both my "retired" kids still sing lots. It's an amazing musical grounding.

[RaspberryLemonPavlova]

I am coming to realise how how great it is. And how lucky we are to live in a city where the Cathedral Choir is open to anybody, not just an associated school.

I'm glad your DDs were treated equally - its not the same everywhere. Its only been like that here for about 6 years.

Ours sing 2 services on Sundays so they are there from 9 until 4. Theoretically this is every other Sunday but quite often they go in on their 'off Sunday' for a special service. I think if I'd realised before how huge the commitment was, I may not have let him do it. I'm glad I didn't know because it is wonderful for him.

There is Youth Choir for when they 'retire'. Evensong once a week and special services.

[difficultpickle]

Ds's choir was on recently too. I had to make do with Iplayer and was amazed at the solo from the head chorister. Completely unaccompanied and so beautiful. I can't say I ever listened to choral evensong on Radio 3 before ds became a chorister

[Theas18]

Excellent bisjo! It is amazing what they achieve isn't it? They do work so hard over the years to get to head chorister though-even the boys have 5 plus years experience at that level. That's real dedication especially at places without a choir school, but even the boys at choir school work harder/linger hours then their peers

[difficultpickle]

Ds has only been there a term and is a probationer but I've been impressed at the change in him. He just seems to apply himself more to what he does and wants to do well. The younger ones really look up to the older choristers.