We have invested in a variety of programmes, ranging from workshops in schools to administrative staff posts, that help organisations to strive for excellence in all its forms, widen participation in cathedral music, and increase the sustainability of the sector.
Our investment enables music departments to enhance what they already achieve as well as develop new work, giving them time to evaluate its success and secure the means to continue the work beyond the scope of our support.
OUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS
AWARDS MADE IN 2025
AWARDS MADE SINCE 2020
GIVEN IN SUPPORT SINCE 1956
Training and Development
Vocal Training
We have supported singing lessons for choristers in a number of cathedrals. The cost of singing lessons is beyond the reach of many chorister families and our support helps these children make the most of their time in the choir, as well as developing skills that will benefit them for their entire lives. Training for adult singers can also have positive knock-on effects. In 2023, for example, the Trust supported singing lessons for the lay clerks at Southwell Minster, which helped maximise the quality of rehearsal time and enabled the performance of higher quality and more challenging music.
My philosophy is that church services should be a celebration of the best of human creativity, whether that be the music and singing, or the words we read and the buildings we worship in. … I definitely feel that recently we have stepped up a notch in our ability to provide high-level music. The singing lessons help and are a big motivator to explore my voice and give more in choir.
Choral and Organ Scholarships
Scholarships give teenage and young adult musicians the best of both worlds: an opportunity to focus on their musical development and the chance to perform in a professional environment on a daily basis. The Trust is pleased to be able to help cathedrals support or increase the number of scholarships on offer, helping to develop the next generation of cathedral musicians. Many scholars go on to high-profile careers in the music profession, others choose a different path, but all acquire skills of value in whatever career they choose. The benefits can go beyond the opportunities for the scholars themselves – in 2023, the introduction of choral scholars at Holy Trinity in Coventry boosted the confidence and musicianship of the whole choir, from volunteer adults to junior choristers.
I could feel the standard of musicianship rise week by week, inspiring our young choristers’ proficiency by the presence of two superb young adult singers … the congregation speak joyfully of the quality of the choir’s worship leading.
Pathways to Music
Primary School workshops
In 2022, we supported the work of the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace, taking place in the London Borough of Hounslow. A highly skilled choral animateur led weekly ‘Songstars’ workshops in primary schools, culminating in a performance by the children in the chapel of Hampton Court. Our support kick-started a pilot year of the programme, which has continued to flourish, and in 2025 we are supporting the programme to expand and reach even more children and teachers. School workshops like these can be an important way of introducing children to cathedral music as well as offering a valuable service to schools, and we regularly support organisations to deliver them. For example, in 2024 we supported Lincoln Cathedral to employ a Music Outreach Officer to deliver regular singing sessions in several local primary schools.
My son is in the class singing and adores it. It’s his favourite time of the week, and he sings your songs now every morning and every night!
Transport
At choral foundations which recruit choristers from multiple local schools, choristers sometimes travel to take part from quite a wide geographical area. For some families, the costs of travel to attend rehearsals and services can make it difficult to take advantage of the opportunity to join a church or cathedral choir. In 2023 and 2024, we supported St Davids Cathedral to provide travel bursaries for their choristers and in 2025 we are supporting Bath Abbey and St Botolph’s Church in Boston to set up travel assistance schemes.
As a low income family, and with the ever increasing cost of living, without the travel grant from the Cathedral, my daughter would have had to leave the Choir already as I would not be able to afford the fuel to transport her to all the rehearsals and services. My daughter appears to be growing in confidence and competence with her singing all the time, and we are very grateful that the travel grant has afforded her the opportunity to continue with her musical endeavours.
Supporting the Workforce
Support Staff
A lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work is required to keep a music department operating smoothly and the Trust is proud to support staff posts which contribute to this. In 2023 and 2024 the Trust supported music administrators in a number of cathedrals, including Blackburn Cathedral, where the Lay Clerks indicated that the improvement in administration meant they were more prepared and confident. At Worcester Cathedral, the choir chaperone has helped the choristers feel safe, with their pastoral needs being met.
Our chaperone is the support which holds us all up.
Professional Musicians
Many choirs include a group of professional singers, often known as lay clerks, which provide an important core for the department’s music making. Singing alongside professional musicians can make a big difference to children and young people, increasing both their confidence and the quality of their singing. The role of a lay clerk may extend beyond just singing, for example mentoring younger members of the choir. In 2023, we supported the salaries of lay clerks at Derby Cathedral, which helped develop the confidence of their Junior Choral Scholars and assisted the development of the choristers’ tonal quality. In 2025 we are also supporting both new and existing posts for professional musicians in a number of organisations, including Leicester Cathedral, where funding will enable them to increase the number of professional singers, and St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough, where funding will enable them to employ professional Lay Clerks for the first time.
I used to be an incredibly shy singer, but now my confidence has been boosted to the max! Being in the Cathedral choir and singing alongside professional singers is the most incredible experience and I now have ambitions to apply for a choral scholarship.
Discover more
Learn more about the world of cathedral music, and find out more about our programmes and who we are helping.
