Chorister Outreach Programme
As part of the National Singing Programme, the Government has asked the Choir Schools Association (CSA) to administer on its behalf a programme of activity called the Chorister Outreach Programme.
The aim of the programme is to encourage professional choirs with choristers connected to a religious establishment (ie a cathedral or church), which sing together regularly, to undertake outreach activity to help increase opportunities for primary school-aged children throughout England to enjoy singing as part of their everyday lives.
Chorister Outreach Programme in 2007/8
Twenty-one choir schools and foundations without choir schools have been running outreach activity since September 2007, modelled on a successful programme of activity being carried out by Truro Cathedral.
Across the country choristers and singing leaders are visiting primary schools to help encourage children to sing.
By the end of the 2007/2008 school year, nearly 12,000 primary school children will have sung with choristers, both in their schools and in 90 public concerts with audience figures well over 20,000.
Equally exciting are the newly formed junior choirs which have entertained over 27,000 at 100 concerts all over the country.
Chorister Outreach Programme in 2008/9
In the 2008/9 school year even more outreach programmes are planned.
Details of the funding available, guidelines and application forms are available from the CSA.
Who’s included?
The Chorister Outreach Programme is open to all members of CSA (Choir Schools Association) and those other organisations who broadly meet the membership criteria.
CSA membership is normally granted to organisations supporting a choir of children which sings music to cathedral standard on a regular basis i.e. several times a week.
However, membership of CSA is not itself a condition of eligibility for this particular programme. Applications for grants from the programme will therefore be considered from professional choirs with choristers connected to a religious establishment (ie a cathedral or church), which sing together regularly.
This programme is not open to amateur or school choirs.
Choir Schools Association
The Association represents 44 schools attached to cathedrals, churches and college chapels. It also has a small number of foundation members without choir schools, but with strong choral traditions.
Many of the CSA schools cater for children up to 13. Others are junior schools attached to senior schools through to 18.
Schools vary in size from just 36 (Westminster Abbey Choir School is the only one to educate solely choristers) to large maintained schools of over 1000.
The 1200 boy and girl choristers enjoy excellent music training and first-class academic and all-round education. They acquire a self-discipline which lasts a lifetime!
