Voice and instrument training

The Fund helps meet the costs of training choristers in singing technique and instrument playing, whether they are at specialist choir schools or at state schools. At a time when cathedrals find these costs increasingly difficult to meet, and the study of music in schools is declining, the Fund seeks to ensure Britain’s famed choral tradition is properly resourced.

Education, inclusion and recruitment initiatives

Declining music education in schools means that fewer children will benefit from singing and experiencing choral music. In the face of the ongoing pandemic, there is a possibility that this provision is narrowed even further, as greater focus is placed on core subjects. This will have an adverse affect on the next generation of performers and musicians. The Fund gives grants to support choral education programmes to ensure more children can benefit from this transformative music education.

Jon Snow, Channel 4 News

Liverpool Cathedral 2019

Young singers, including choristers from nearly 40 cathedrals and choral foundations across the country, came together to perform at Liverpool Cathedral on 13 June, attended by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, royal patron of the Diamond Fund for Choristers. Much-loved favourites like Handel’s 'Zadok the Priest', Allegri’s 'Miserere', Howard Goodall’s Psalm 23 (The Vicar of Dibley theme tune) and Parry’s 'I Was Glad' were performed, along with a new work by Richard Shephard, specially commissioned for the concert.