This weekend, two girls formally joined St Paul’s Cathedral Choir as full choristers for the first time in its 900-year history.
At a special service of Choral Evensong marking the occasion, were Lila (11) and Lois (10) performing with the Cathedral Choir as ‘made up’ Choristers, having passed their probation periods.
The girls will join the boys for their regular pattern of choral services, alongside singing at special services, concerts and events, including those of both national and international significance.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, said:
“It is a great joy to welcome Lila and Lois into the Cathedral community. It was profoundly moving to see the culmination of their hard-work, and God-given gifts on show, at the service on Sunday evening. I hope that Lila and Lois can be an inspiration to other young girls as to what can be achieved, in what is a huge milestone in St Paul’s 900-year history.”
Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral, Andrew Carwood MBE, added:
“Lila and Lois have worked extremely hard in preparing for this day and we are delighted to welcome them to our musical family. I look forward to their bright futures in the Choir, which I’m delighted to see continuing to grow and flourish.”
Lila, Lois, and all the girl probationers at St Paul’s will form the core of a girls’ choir from September 2025, as they establish two equal top lines of girls and boys. This is the culmination of a long-held ambition, with plans for the Girls’ Voices project announced back in 2022.
Images © Peter Li/St Paul’s Cathedral
