Music & Choirs

English Cathedrals uphold a unique and 1000 year old ministry of daily use of music within services.

English Cathedrals uphold a unique and 1000-year-old ministry of daily use of music within services.

Music is a truly international language and, as such, it is one of the Church’s most ancient forms of expression and worship of God. Music in Cathedrals strives to do this to a high standard and to use many differing traditions of music making.

Photos by Pete Langdown

A thriving and diverse music programme

Our Cathedral Choir is made up of a team of 24 Boy Choristers and 22 Girl Choristers who share our daily singing duties alongside our team of Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars. Our Cathedral Consort (mixed adults) adds a further opportunity to our music team.

Outreach Projects

Our Cathedral Sing programme seeks to work with as many young people in our city and diocese to spread our passion for singing. Our newest projects ‘Choir Church’ in partnership with the Diocese of Portsmouth aims to found new congregations and new disciples through the power of music and singing at parishes across the region.

Music is at the heart of the Cathedral’s many cathedral and diocesan responsibilities and the Music Department plays as full a role as possible in this regard.

Boys Choir

Portsmouth Cathedral Choir is made up of 24 boy choristers and 12 Lay Clerks and  Choral Scholars) who contribute to the pattern of daily cathedral worship

Girls Choir

Created in 2006, a new choir called Cantate opened the way for Girl Choristers and teenage boys to sing as part of the daily music-making at Portsmouth Cathedral.

Cathedral Consort

The Cathedral Consort is a mixed choir of adults, providing a unique opportunity to sing at selected liturgical occasions and at the major festivals.

Cathedral Scholarships

In partnership with the Portsmouth Grammar School, we offer annual Choral and Organ Scholarships, combining cathedral music with a supported gap year role at one of Portsmouth's leading independent schools.

Cathedral Sing

Cathedral Sing is a music programme consisting of a series of classroom workshops and community-based events for children and teachers in primary schools.

Lunchtime Live

Delight in our weekly recitals live at the Cathedral, featuring members of the Cathedral Music Department, and some special guest artists.

Former Choristers

Portsmouth Cathedral runs an alumni association for former choristers, with events held annually.

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