Junior Choir
For children in school years 1 to 3 (ages 6 to 8)
Our lively and friendly Junior Choir (unauditioned) for the youngest singers meets a few times a month to rehearse and sings as part of a service at Great St Mary’s around once or twice a term.
For more information about joining the Junior Choir, email its director, Helen Groves (juniorchoir@gsm.cam.ac.uk).
Choristers
For children in school years 4 to 9 (ages 8 to 14)
Older children at Great St Mary’s enjoy a varied and rewarding programme of weekly rehearsals, tuition, choral services, concerts and tours throughout the year, bringing beautiful music to thousands of worshippers and visitors at the heart of the city and University and further afield. Children start in the choir as probationer choristers, and after a year's apprenticeship are promoted to full choristership.
Outline Schedule
Tuesdays: 1630-1815 (Years 3-6)
Wednesdays: 1630-1745 (Years 7-9)
Thursdays: 1630-1830 (Year 4); 1700-1830 (Years 5-9)
Sundays: EITHER 0845-1100 (Years 4-9) OR 1445-1700GMT/1545-1800BST (Years 4-9)
On Tuesdays the junior choristers (Years 5-6) and probationers (Years 3-4) sing for a service of Choral Evening Prayer at 1745. On Thursdays, the choristers (Year 5-6) and senior probationers (Year 4) sing for a service of Choral Evensong at 1800. On Sundays, they sing either for the Eucharist (1000) or Choral Evensong (1600GMT/1700BST), from 2026 together with the Lay Clerks.
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We are currently recruiting children who will be in Years 3 and 5 in September 2026 (auditions on 14 March and 21 March 2026). We typically take 3 boys and 3 girls in each year group.
We also have places in other year groups, who would be able to join mid-year.
Youth Choir
For teenagers in school years 10 to 13 (ages 14 to 18)
Our Youth Choir offers an enriching musical education to teenagers who are serious about their music-making. Rehearsals are fun and purposeful, and our repertoire is broad and ambitious.
Outline Schedule
Wednesdays: 1800-2000 (Sopranos, weekly; Altos, Tenors and Basses, monthly)
Fridays: 1815-1945 (Altos, Tenors and Basses, except when meeting on Wednesdays)
Sundays: EITHER 0845-1100 OR 1445-1700GMT/1545-1800BST
On Wednesdays, the Youth Choir sings for a service of Compline in Michaelhouse at 1945. On Sundays, they sing either for the Eucharist (1000) or Choral Evensong (1600GMT/1700BST), from 2026 independently or together with the Parish Choir.
We are especially looking for tenors and basses to join the Youth Choir. We also encourage applications from boys with changing voices in Year 9 and below.
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To arrange an audition, email music@gsm.cam.ac.uk
Chorister Voice Trials:
14th & 21st March 2026
Chorister Voice Trials (for children currently in Year 2 and Year 4)
Great St Mary's is recruiting the next generation of choristers. We have places available to children currently in Year 2 and Year 4. Please note that while we don't have places available to children in Year 3 and Year 5, we always welcome expressions of interest!
Voice trials will take place on 14 and 21 March 2026. Click the button to sign up:
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THE COMMITMENT (from September 2026)
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Year 3 Probationers: Tuesdays (1630-1815) after school
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Year 4 Probationers: Tuesdays (1630-1815), Thursdays (1630-1830), and eventually Sundays (either morning or afternoon)
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Years 5-6 Choristers: Tuesdays (1630-1815), Thursdays (1700-1830), and Sundays (either morning or afternoon)
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Years 7-9 Choristers: Wednesday (1630-1745), Thursdays (1700-1830), and Sundays (either morning or afternoon)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Voice trials will take place at Great St Mary's Church (14 March) or Michaelhouse (21 March).
We'll start with an informal singing audition with Alexander Berry (Director of Music) and Helen Groves (Vocal Coach). The audition will be followed by an informal meeting with our Associate Vicar, the Revd Ally Barrett.
WHAT TO PREPARE
For an audition, we ask children to sing a piece of their own choice. If there's nothing that they would especially like to sing for an audition, please prepare the first verse of Away in a manger.
After that, we'll then do some aural and range tests, and some reading aloud.
RESULTS OF AUDITION
We hope to let parents know whether their children have been successful by Sunday 29 March 2026.