History made as girls join Durham Cathedral Choir

Nov 2 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

HISTORY was made yesterday as the first girls to join a Durham Cathedral choir sang at evensong.

The 20 girl choristers, who were installed as full choir members yesterday afternoon, have been in rehearsals since May and were practising in the cathedral’s Quire Stalls last week.

Led by head girl chorister Catherine Pemberton, 12, the girls became the first to join the choir.

After the service, Catherine said: “It was fantastic to be part of the first ever service by girls in the cathedral. I always thought it was unfair that girls weren’t allowed to be part of the choristers and now we are. The congregation seemed to really enjoy it, we got a thumbs-up all round.”

Dean of Durham, the Very Rev Michael Sadgrove, said: “It is about time this happened, it was such a privilege to be there and hear the girls singing. There were a few very emotional people in there tonight.”

Canon Rosalind Brown of Durham Cathedral said the girls would alternate with the boy choristers.

“They will only sing with the boys at certain larger services, such as Christmas. Normally they will alternate with the 20 boy choristers.

“It is a very exciting occasion. Having girls in the choir does raise the profile of girls in the cathedral.”

James Lancelot, master of the choristers and organist at Durham Cathedral, said: “The arrival of girl choristers is an exciting and momentous development into which have gone years of planning. Durham will continue to cherish the English Cathedral tradition of boy trebles and men whilst celebrating the opportunities that girl trebles and men’s voices will allow.

“I am delighted for the cathedral, and for the young people who are able to experience this unique musical training.”

Members of the choir study at The Chorister School in Durham – the old stamping ground of former Prime Minister Tony Blair – while undergoing voice training and an intensive rehearsal schedule.

Canon Brown said the school itself had taken in girls for the past 15 years, but it was only recently that it had been decided to admit them to the choir.

Originally only monks were eligible for the choir, and laymen and boys were first admitted in the 16th century. Durham Cathedral announced its plan to let girls sing in the choir in May last year.