Female choristers are welcomed into Windsor Chapel choir for the first time in its 674-year history – after the Queen backed a change to the rules
- Girls are both aged nine and attend St George’s School Windsor Castle
- They are the first female choristers to join the choir in 674 years
- Admittance into the group follows the decision made in January that boys and girls could sing together in choir
- The choir was founded in 1348 and regularly sings for Queen and Royal Family
Two girl choristers have been welcomed into the Windsor Chapel choir for the first time in 674 years.
The girls are both aged nine and attend St George’s School Windsor Castle, a leading independent preparatory school.
They have joined St George’s Chapel Choir after a decidsion by the Dean of Canons of Windsor in January that girls and boys could sing together, a move backed by the Queen.
The nine-year-olds will live in the boarding house of the school during the week.
Their choir schedule will involve daily rehearsals and in time, regular services alongside schooling and extra-curricular activities.
Two nine-year-old female choristers, pictured, have joined the St George’s Chapel Choir, for the first time in 674 years
It was decided in January by the Dean of the Canons of Windsor that girls and boys could sing together in the choir, a move agreed by the Queen
William Goldsmith, Head of St George’s School Windsor Castle, said: ‘We are tremendously proud of our long-standing tradition of educating and housing the choristers of St George’s Chapel.
‘To be able to offer this opportunity to everybody at the school, regardless of gender, is very much aligned to our philosophy of valuing all students and recognising that each child has his or her own unique contribution to make to the life of our community and to global society as a whole.’
The Choir of St George’s Chapel was founded in 1348 and regularly sings for The Queen and other members of the Royal family.
They were tasked with singing at the weddings of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank in 2018.
The Choir of St George’s Chapel, pictured, was founded in 1348 and often sings for The Queen and other members of the Royal family
They sang at the weddings of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pictured, and Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank in 2018
St George’s Chapel choir is formed of up to 23 choristers who are admitted after an audition between the age of 7 and 9.
Choristers receive musical tuition from the Chapel Director of Music, Assistant Director of Music and the Organ Scholar.
They also have regular singing lessons with teacher Anita Morrison.
At school, they also have additional music theory lessons and learn to play at least two instruments.
St George’s Chapel choir, pictured, is formed of up to 23 choristers who are admitted after an audition between the age of 7 and 9
Choristers leave the choir at the end of Year 8, when they finish St George’s School Windsor Castle and go to senior school.
Mr Goldsmith added: ‘While only accounting for a small number of the children here at St George’s, the choristers fulfil a vital role in the daily life of the school and the Chapel.
‘It’s one of the many aspects that makes the school truly unique, alongside becoming the first standalone UK prep school to follow the innovative International Baccalaureate and Pre-Senior Baccalaureate teaching methodologies, in a drive to ensure our students are truly real-world ready.’
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