At 7am 13 sleepy choristers, one director of music, one organist, one choral scholar and a matron left Abbey Square for Didsbury. We arrived  just after 8 and were greeted by the producer for the day, Simon Vivian. After Mr Roberts’ vigorous warm-ups of “tongue trills”, “lip trills”, “John Scott has red hair”, “my car has flat tyres” and “see far see far see” we had a run-through of all the music for the service; How Beautiful Are The Feet (Handel), Lord of All Hopefulness and Ye Servants of God.

After a fully timed run-through we had a quick tea and coffee break, before going live.

The service went smoothly, with beautiful solos from Olivia Hunt (Head Chorister), Lucy Rushforth and Becky Bowler(Leading Choristers), and descants from Olivia Hunt and Alice Capper (Head and Leading Choristers). The reading was done by Laura Rushforth who read with clarity and confidence, and Mr Roberts remembered to conduct all the “Amens” and the Lord’s Prayer!

After praise from Simon about how well we had done and how fabulous we are sounding, we got straight on the coach back to Chester (no rest for the wicked, eh!) and back to school.

We had a brilliant time and we’re all looking forward to doing it again on March 28th, so make sure you tune in!

As the start of a new year and a new term, last Sunday evensong saw four probationers made up to full choristers, a chorister promoted to leader and the previously deputy head chorister became the new head chorister.

Sam joined the choir in January 2005, aged 7 and a half. He was inspired to join by a second cousin who sang for Newcastle Cathedral. He has been on two of the choir tours, to the Cotswolds and to Florida but the highlight so far of his time at Chester was being on BBC1 on Christmas Day. He loves the Cathedral, the music and the great team camaraderie.

Sam will be broadcasting with the boy’s choir on the BBC Radio 4 LW Daily Service on Monday 17th January at 9:45.

On St. Cecillia’s day, 22nd November 2010, the choristers sang live on BBC Radio 4 LW for the Daily Service from Emmanuel Church, Didsbury.

On Midsummer Monday morning, 21st June 2010, the girl choristers sang live on BBC Radio 4 LW for the Daily Service from Emmanuel Church, Didsbury.

All my hope on God is founded(Michael)
The Call (Vaughan Williams)
Take up thy cross (Breslau)

On Monday 28th September 2009, the girls of Chester Cathedral Choir will be singing live on BBC Radio 4 LW for the Daily Service Broadcast at 9:45am.