Figure 1.--Here we see the Chisester Cathedral Choir in their performance robes. They hace a very destinctive collar. We are unsure how to describe it. A reader suggests that it might be called a Pilgrim collar.

We have no information on the operation of the Choir during historical periods. The construction of a Song School over the Chapter House in the 15th century suggests that there is a long history of choral singing at the Cathedral. The modern choir is quite active and one of the major English cathedral choirs. The statutes at Chichester Cathedral provide for the maintenance of 18 Trebles and six Lay Vicars. The Choristers and Probationers are educated at the Prebendal School, the Cathedral's own Choir School, where they are required to be boarders. The Choristers are afforded a first-class music education. As well as singing, Choristers learn the piano and an orchestral instrument of their choice. They spend at least 18 hours weekly on music training and performance. The Lay Vicars are professional adult singers who attend the Cathedral daily except on Wednesdays. The Cathedral Choir sings at least eight services in the Cathedral each week. They sing at Evensong on weekdays, except Wednesdays, and on Sundays at Mattins, the Eucharist and Evensong. The Choir also gives a variery of other performances, including concerts, broadcasts, recordings, and tours. The Chichester Cathedral Choir is one of the most highly respected Cathedral choirs in England. Choir officials report that theyare able to achieve an especially beautiful and gentle tone in the sympathetic acoustics of the Cathedral. The Choir in its secular performances has appeared with popular performers as diverse as Petula Clark, Richard Stilgoe, the King's Singers, the Cambridge Buskers, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, and Cantabile. Notable television appearances have included performances in Placido Domingo's Christmas Choice and Rumpole of the Bailey. The Choir in 1985 recoded "Cathedral Music" by Geoffrey Burgon which won a 'Critics' Choice of the Year Award' in Gramophone magazine. The choir makes regular tours, including both national and foreign venues. Recent trips have included France and Germany. The Choir has made repeated trips to northern Bavaria where they have performed in Bamberg, Nurenberg and Wurzburg. The Choir also makes regular visits to Chartres where they sing in the magnificent Chartres Cathedral. (The city of Chartes and Chichester are twinned, meaning there are regular cultural exchanges.) The Choristers wear the Prebendal school uniform which has a bright red blazer. The Choristers have destinctive gray capes trimed in red. Only the full Choir members wear the cape, probationers wear the red blazer Prebendal School uniform. For their religious singing they wear eclesiastical robes.

Choir History

We have no information on the operation of the Choir during historical periods. The construction of a Song School over the Chapter House in the 15th century suggests that there is a long history of choral singing at the Cathedral.

Modern Choir

The modern choir is quite active and one of the major English cathedral choirs. The statutes at Chichester Cathedral provide for the maintenance of 18 Trebles and six Lay Vicars. The Choristers and Probationers are educated at the Prebendal School, the Cathedral's own Choir School, where they are required to be boarders.

Choral Education

The Choristers are afforded a first-class music education. As well as singing, Choristers learn the piano and an orchestral instrument of their choice. They spend at least 18 hours weekly on music training and performance.

Operations

The Lay Vicars are professional adult singers who attend the Cathedral daily except on Wednesdays. The Cathedral Choir sings at least eight services in the Cathedral each week. They sing at Evensong on weekdays, except Wednesdays, and on Sundays at Mattins, the Eucharist and Evensong. The Choir also gives a variery of other performances, including concerts, broadcasts, recordings, and tours. The Chichester Cathedral Choir is one of the most highly respected Cathedral choirs in England. Choir officials report that they are able to achieve an especially beautiful and gentle tone in the sympathetic acoustics of the Cathedral. The Choir in its secular performances has appeared with popular performers as diverse as Petula Clark, Richard Stilgoe, the King's Singers, the Cambridge Buskers, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, and Cantabile. Notable television appearances have included performances in Placido Domingo's Christmas Choice and Rumpole of the Bailey. The Choir in 1985 recoded "Cathedral Music" by Geoffrey Burgon which won a 'Critics' Choice of the Year Award' in Gramophone magazine. The choir makes regular tours, including both national and foreign venues. Recent trips have included France and Germany. The Choir has made repeated trips to northern Bavaria where they have performed in Bamberg, Nurenberg and Wurzburg. The Choir also makes regular visits to Chartres where they sing in the magnificent Chartres Cathedral. (The city of Chartes and Chichester are twinned, meaning there are regular cultural exchanges.)

Costume

The Choristers wear the Prebendal school uniform which has a bright red blazer. The Choristers have destinctive gray capes trimed in red. Only the full Choir members wear the cape, probationers wear the red blazer Prebendal School uniform. For their religious singing they wear eclesiastical robes. The Choir has a destinctive collar. We are unsure how to describe it. A reader suggests that it might be called a Pilgrim collar.