Figure 1.--Salisbury Cathedral is one of England's most famous cathedrals. We have limited informatiin on the Salisbury Cathedral Choir at this time. The Salisbury Cathedral School is located in the Cathedral Close. The Choir school is one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. Salisbury Cathedral now has both a traditional boy's choir and a very successful new girl's choir.

Salisbury Cathedral is one of England's most famous cathedrals. We have limited informatiin on the Salisbury Cathedral Choir at this time. The Salisbury Cathedral School is located in the Cathedral Close. The Choir school is one of the oldest educational institutions in the world. Salisbury Cathedral now has both a traditional boy's choir and a very successful new girl's choir.

The Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral is one of England's most famous cathedrals. Salisbury Cathedral in the 12th century was located within the walls of the king's castle which has become known as Old Sarum. The clergy decided to build a magnificent cathedral on spacious grounds in a new city--Salisbury. Plans were made for facilities that were not possible to construct at Old Sarum. There was to be large tracts of land for the houses of the canons and dean and for the bishop's palace, a town laid out on a grid of streets around a large market square. Salisbury was to have an especialy inovative feature. A th a unique hydraulic system was designed to provide townspeople with fresh water diverted from the river. There were also parish churches planned to serve a growing poulation. It took years to build the new cathedral and other facilities. The first stones were laid for the Cathedral in 1220 which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1258, by which time the cathedral and the town were a flourishing reality.

Salisbury Cathedral School

The Salisbury Cathedral School is located in the Cathedral Close. It was founded in 1091 by Saint Osmund for the education of choristers at the Old Sarum Cathedral. The school is thus one of the oldest educational schools in the world. The school was at Old Sarum for 150 years and then about 1240 moved to Salisbury, after a cathedral was built there. The school in 1947 moved into its current facilities which are based on the 13th century buildings and grounds of the Bishop’s Palace. The modern school not only educated thde two Salisbury Cathedral Choirs, but is a preparatory and pre-preparatory and nursery school for more than 200 boys and girls aged from 3-13 years of age.

The Choirs

Salisbury Cathedral in 2002-03 had 16 boy and 18 girl choristers and 8 probationers in the two Cathedral Choirs. The choristers are educated at Salisbury Cathedral School. In addition to the normal education program, they receive a first class musical education and sing choral music spanning nine centuries. The choristers are also participate in periodic national and internaztional tours. Recent tours have included France, the United States, South Africa and Brazil. The Choirs also make recordings and produce broadcasts on both radio and TV.