Angelic Voices: The Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral on BBC 4

[Magnificat]

I notice that there is a documentary about Salisbury cathedral choirs and school on BBC 4 at 9.00 pm on Sunday.

Forum members may be interested.

VCC

[DracoM]

Thanks for the notice. Is it a repeat? I seem to recall earlier.................???

[pole_2_pole]

WARNING: May contain choristers of a female sex.

[Norfolk Born]

I've just watched this excellent documentary. I found it inspiring, informative and moving in equal measure. The device of proceeding in parallel through the history of English choral music and the school year worked brilliantly. Unreservedly recomended!

[Mary Chambers]

I watched this feeling incredibly envious (no girl choristers in my youth), but also furious that this kind of training, for boys or girls, can't be found outside the church. They may have let girls in, but it's still very restricted as far as the population at large is concerned.

Just a thought - the girls all have to sing treble/soprano, don't they? What happens to girls with good alto voices? The men sing the alto parts.

My head says that of course girls should be choristers, but I'm afraid that in my heart I still prefer the boys. There's just something about knowing that their wonderful voices are temporary.

[Norfolk Born]

Yes, but what did you think of the programme?

[Mary Chambers]

I thought it was excellent, very well made, and the children were superb. I'm still jealous, though.

[Norfolk Born]

I was staggered to learn that there are STILL people out there who claim that 'girls can't sing'. Did I also hear correctly that none of the cathedrals in the London area offers girl choristers the opportunities offered to them at Salisbury?

[Mary Chambers]

I think Southwark has a girls' choir, but the main ones, St Paul's and Westminster Abbey, and Westminster RC Cathedral, don't.

[subcontrabass]

I was staggered to learn that there are STILL people out there who claim that 'girls can't sing'. Did I also hear correctly that none of the cathedrals in the London area offers girl choristers the opportunities offered to them at Salisbury?

I do not know how you define "the London area" but both Southwark and Rochester Cathedrals have girls' choirs.