Cathedral wants to recruit more choristers

Graham Thorpe said being a chorister teaches leadership, teamwork and self-discipline

More choristers are needed to preserve a "sacred tradition" at Bradford Cathedral, its director of music has said.

Graham Thorpe said that the number of singers in the cathedral's choirs had dwindled since Covid and had not yet recovered.

The cathedral has been running workshops in local schools to encourage children to join, but has struggled to recruit boys.

Mr Thorpe said that choral singing taught young people "teamwork and self-discipline".

The 30-year-old Royal College of Music graduate said: "Everywhere has the worry of where the next choristers are going to come from, so any way we can get them is really, really good.

"They are the musicians of the future. We go into schools and recruit the children and they come here and become choristers and we teach them music for five or six years."

There are currently 18 girls in the junior choir, but only nine boys.

In 2022 a report by the Cathedral Music Trust warned of a "sustainability crisis" for the "world-renowned sacred music tradition" unless it tackled the challenges of widening participation and improving affordability.

The choristers sing in the cathedral every fortnight on Sundays.

Impact of Covid

The Sunday congregation has grown to 120 worshippers following a post-Covid period in which attendances fell.

Mr Thorpe, who is also a church organist, said: "Covid demolished the regularity, and I think that happened for everyone, so in the choir we had to rebuild - not quite from scratch - the way we learn and recruit."

He added: "Essentially we need to get them hooked on singing and persuade their parents it's worthwhile bringing their child to the cathedral to learn about music.

"The benefits are a little bit hidden, because it's not like teaching them maths or science or English.

"But in choir you don't just learn music, you learn leadership, teamwork and self-discipline."

Full members of the choir are entitled to individual tuition in singing or piano.

The cathedral, which was built in the 15th Century, has begun hosting weekly organ recitals to boost interest in its music programme.

Fifteen organists will share a weekly performance slot until 18 December.

The Wednesday recitals start at 12:30 BST and include a buffet lunch.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.