Musical Youth

In the wake of its successful Junior Choir, the Cathedral is launching a new Youth Choir led by Ian Wicks, Director of Music at the Cathedral School.

The Youth Choir will be a free, non-auditioned four-part community choir, open to all people aged between 13 and 18. The teenagers will tackle a wide range of music and musical styles and undertake at least two to three public engagements a term.

The new choir’s leader, Ian Wicks, has run the Junior Choir successfully for nine years, with the choir taking part in last year’s highly successful 'Magna Cantata' and BBC Wiltshire’s 'Carols in the Cathedral', an annual broadcast event. He has high hopes for the Youth Choir, which will tackle an equally ambitious range of music.

Ian said, “We have long felt that there was a gap between our vibrant Junior Choir and the accomplished Cathedral Chamber Choir that needed filling, and a need for more musical opportunities for talented secondary school students.

“We hope the Youth Choir will fulfil that role and keep young people singing. Research has shown singing benefits the singer both physically because it is an aerobic activity that uses all the upper body muscles, and because of its positive psychological effects, reducing stress and building a sense of community within the choir…plus the fact that it is, of course, a lot of fun.”

Rehearsals for the Youth Choir will be every Tuesday from 6-7 pm in the Cathedral School’s music room. Those wishing to join just need to turn up and register at the first rehearsal, which takes place at 6 pm on Tuesday 13 September at Salisbury Cathedral School.

The 46 strong Junior Choir is also recruiting again as some of the older singers move on to the Youth Choir.

Junior singers, aged 7 to 13, rehearse every Saturday between 11 am and noon in the Cathedral’s North Transept and new joiners are invited to a registration session and first rehearsal at 11 am on Saturday 10 September. No audition is required and there are no fees for joining.

The Salisbury Cathedral Junior choir is led by Susie Lamb, who has 20 years of experience working with children both as a music teacher and a choral director. Susie runs choirs at Salisbury Cathedral School and Woodlands Primary as well as singing herself, with the Cathedral Chamber Choir and Sarum Voices.

Susie Lamb, leader of the Junior Choir said: “I am thrilled to be taking this lovely choir over from Ian Wicks. I have lead many rehearsals and performances with them before so lots of the children know me already. My own daughter sings with the choir at the moment and absolutely loves it. Junior Choir is a good, free way for children to develop their musical knowledge and singing skills.”

Susie’s daughter, Rosie Price, joins the Cathedral School Choir this Autumn. Traditionally the Junior Choir has produced at least one or two potential choristers every year.

If you are interested in joining, want to know more or would like to get registration papers ahead of the first rehearsal for both choirs, please contact Abigail Bray on scjc@salcath.co.uk or 07929 769 311.