Cathedral Music Trust | Transforming Lives Through Cathedral Music

70 Years Of Musical Impact

Transforming lives through cathedral music

In 1956, the Revd Ronald Sibthorp, Precentor of Truro Cathedral, founded Friends of Cathedral Music in response to the post-war decline of cathedral music. For decades, the charity strengthened and nurtured rich choral and organ traditions.
In 2020, we became Cathedral Music Trust, building on these strong foundations to continue championing excellence, widening access, and supporting the long-term sustainability of cathedral music, enriching the lives of thousands of children, young people and adult musicians across the UK and Ireland.

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Latest News

Choristers at Croydon Minster performing Handel's Messiah

UNESCO – safeguarding the future

Cathedral Music Trust represents a collective voice of organisations calling for ‘English Sacred Choral Music‘ to be recognised as a Living Heritage in the UK’s ‘intangible cultural heritage inventory – safeguarding the future of our choral tradition.

Applications now open

Cathedral Music Trust invites applications to its 2026 Cathedral Music Support Programme, eligible organisations may apply for up to £30,000 to be spent within two years.

The programme has three priority areas: Pathways to Music, Training and Development and Supporting the Workforce. Open for applications until Monday 9 February 2026.

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Project Phoenix: Ripon Cathedral Chorister Recruitment

With a population of just 16,000, Ripon is one of the smallest cities in the UK. Cathedral Music Trust is pleased to have been able to offer support towards a number of costs and are delighted to showcase Project Phoenix, their chorister recruitment initiative.

OUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS

£7.5 Million

GIVEN IN SUPPORT SINCE 1956

208

AWARDS MADE SINCE 2020

27

AWARDS MADE IN 2025

Choristers from the choir of Blackburn Cathedral

Who we are

We work alongside cathedrals and other choral foundations to support excellence in its many forms, broaden participation and increase the long-term sustainability of the cathedral music sector.

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How we help

We support cathedral music by introducing young people to choral experiences, providing support for training choristers, organists, and scholars, and strengthening professional roles. Our investment helps music departments grow, innovate, and sustain their work beyond our support.

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How you can help

Cathedral Music Trust is a charity. Your time, support, and donations help us nurture cathedral music as a living tradition and sustain talent that makes it thrive.

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I owe my entire career to my experience as a chorister. It was where I learnt to perform, where I learnt to use the full range of my voice; where I learnt to listen, and where I learnt to write comedy. Most importantly it was where I learnt the wonderful truth that something exceptional, something as beautiful as anything anywhere, can be created just by you and your friends.

Alexander Armstrong, Cathedral Music Trust Ambassador