CHOIR 500 FOUNDATION

The Christ Church Cathedral Choir 500 Foundation was founded in 1994. The initial discussions began in 1993, which was the 500th anniversary of the original foundation if the Cathedral Choir School by Prior David Wynchestyr. Under Peter Sweeney and then Mark Duley in the 1980s and early 1990s the choir had once again become one of the leading church choirs in Dublin (one of Dublin's best kept secrets, said the Irish Times). It was also becoming more expensive to keep, and the cathedral Board was anxious to raise funds for its maintenance.

A Choir 500 Foundation was established, and on 15 September 1994 the Board agreed to set up a Trust to obtain charitable status for the new Foundation. The first Trustees were the Very Revd John Paterson (Dean), the Revd Professor John Bartlett (Precentor), Mr William N. Aplin, Mr Clive Christie, and Mr Harold Clarke. By the terms of the Trust Deed, the objects of the Foundation were

1. The restoration of the educational role of Christ Church cathedral by
   1. Setting up a girls' choir
   2. Funding organ and choral scholarships and
2. The enhancing of the cathedral's liturgical life by
   1. The creation of a professional core of singers within the choir to sing additional services during the week
   2. The funding of an occasional orchestra to perform with the choir at major services and concerts, and
   3. The creation of an active role for the cathedral within the arts, by
      1. The establishment of a regular concert series
      2. The setting up of an organ academy at the cathedral.

Fund raising began with a bang; the National Concert Hall was hired for an excellent concert given by the choir to an invited audience of Dublin's leading businessmen and women. A number of Dublin financial houses and business firms, including Guinness, were generous; a large donation was aquired from the Gore-Ouseley Trust; and the Girls' Choir soon appeared in its distinctive white albs and red tabards, organ and choral scholarships were established, the Christ Church Baroque orchestra performed at occasional services and gave a number of concerts. The setting up of an organ academy is the one goal still remaining.The present Trustees are the Revd Professor John Bartlett (chair), Mr Clive Christie (Hon. Sec.), His Honour Judge Liam Devally, Ms Virginia Kerr, and Ms Carole Pappin. They meet regularly to administer the funds, and to consider how best to use them to the general profit of the Cathedral Choir.

Click here for the original Christ Church 500 details.