From an update to The Bishop’s Review at the long-troubled Winchester Cathedral:
Despite a considerable spend last year, resulting in increased coverage and readership, no recruitment of boy choristers resulted. Canon Andrew is, therefore, heading a working group looking into the way in which recruitment across the Music Foundation, especially of boy choristers, can best be supported. Chapter will consider using an external agency if this can add significantly to our profile and impact.
The question of whether boys need to be full boarders for their entire career as choristers is being addressed by Chapter. This is the historic model in Winchester, which has worked well over many generations to deliver excellence, and to which current chorister parents remain committed. Yet other cathedrals, who would also claim to prize choral excellence, do not follow this approach. There is also ample evidence from The Pilgrims’ School that boarding deters applications for choristerships. Early indications suggest that the increase in fees caused by the imposition of VAT has exacerbated this effect. Fewer applicants for choristerships mean that musical standards are threatened.
It is possible, therefore, that after full consultation we shall allow day probationers in the coming academic year, though full boarding will remain an option. Chapter, working closely with the Interim Director of Music, is also exploring patterns of boarding with the School in Years 5 and above. The direction of travel will be decided by Chapter by September 2025 and discussed with all potential 2026 entrants and their families. The policy will be endorsed or otherwise by the incoming Dean and Director of Music, assuming that these appointments have been made.
Chapter wishes to build on the recent opportunities for boys in the recording studio. A trip is planned to Fleury Abbey in May 2026, if funds can be raised.
Chapter’s commitment to the future of the boys’ singing has been made abundantly clear in the merger of The Pilgrims’ School with Winchester College. Not only has this involved considerable commitment from all parties to negotiating the agreement, but also it has involved Chapter making a stretching ten-year financial commitment to the repair of the estate tenanted by the School. The merger sets the School on a sustainable footing and improves boys’ access to sporting facilities and other resources. Two representatives of Chapter will sit on the new consultative body sitting under the Governing Board of the College.
It should be stressed that there are no plans whatever to merge Choristers and Quiristers.
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