CATHEDRAL GIRLS' CHOIR

Christ Church Cathedral Girls' Choir was established in 1995, making it one of the first choirs of its kind in an Irish cathedral. It offers girls the opportunity to receive the unique musical education that a cathedral can offer. Until recently, this was only available to boys.

Consisting of fourteen choristers and four probationers aged between eleven and seventeen, the choir is now an integral part of the five centuries-long tradition of music in Dublin's oldest cathedral.

The cornerstone of many brilliant musical careers, the Girls' Choir instils discipline and high standards that are valuable assets in later life. The girls rehearse twice each week and sing Choral Evensong on most Wednesdays during term time. They frequently join forces with the cathedral's adult choir for major liturgical feasts and concerts.

Choristers are drawn from various schools in the Dublin area. All girls are given Chorister Scholarships which entitle them to group tuition, assessment, examination entrance fees, tour subsidies and sheet music. The choir is open to girls of all religious traditions and none. All the choristers receive expert training and voice tuition from some of the country's finest musicians. Selection is on the basis of formal voice trials held at Easter each year, although the Director of Music is always pleased to offer potential applicants an informal interview at any time.

The Girls' Choir regularly gives concerts in the cathedral and other venues in the city and regularly undertakes tours around the country. It has also performed on RTÉ television and in national and international choral festivals. You can hear the present girls' choir on the CD recording Live at Christ Church volume 4, which contains carols and anthems for Advent and Christmas.