Voice Trials

Registering for voice trials with Exeter Cathedral?

If your child will enter Years 2-5 and you are interested in registering for the chorister programme, you will need to register your interest with Exeter Cathedral as well as Exeter School. Here’s the link to the Voice Trial sign up form

Click here to register for the chorister programme

What will the assessments involve?

  • Singing a prepared song or hymn (this does not need to be anything complicated; it should be a song that your child is familiar with and really enjoys singing). It is extremely helpful if children bring the musical accompaniment for their prepared piece with them so that Mr Noon can accompany them;
  • Playing a musical instrument if applicable (this is not compulsory);
  • Ear tests e.g. singing notes played on the piano; tests of musicality.

We will do our very best to put the children at ease and make the occasion an enjoyable one for them as we want them to do their best and to be relaxed, happy and confident.

What is the decision process?

Following the Voice Trial day, the Cathedral’s Music Department will meet with the School to discuss the results from all the assessments. We will hope to inform parents of decisions within two to three weeks of the Voice Trial day. This correspondence will come from the Cathedral’s Precentor, Canon James Mustard.

It is important to understand that auditions for the Cathedral Choir are necessarily a very selective process and not everyone can succeed. The number of places is strictly limited in any given year and younger candidates may be encouraged to return for a further voice audition the following year if their voices have not yet developed sufficiently. It is also perhaps worthy of note that several of our current and past Choristers were unsuccessful first-time round.

Which year groups can apply for Voice Trials?

Voice Trials are open to pupils, external and internal, who are currently in the following year groups: Years 2, 3, 4 & 5

What is the admissions process?

Please click here to read about our admissions process, and the steps to enrol as a pupil at Exeter School.

If you are a family not currently at Exeter School, a member of our friendly admissions team will contact you ahead of the candidate’s Voice Trial to arrange a tour of the School for your family, as well as a taster day for the candidate. It should be noted that the School and Cathedral are not able to offer Choristerships to external candidates unless a tour and taster day have already taken place.

My child is in Year 1. Can they still apply?

Voice Trials applications are only open to children in Year 2 and above.

What should attendees wear on the day?

Smart/casual clothing will suffice. Please ensure that they are comfortable.

Where is the best place to park?

We’d recommend parking in The Cathedral and Quay Car Park.

What should attendees bring on the day?

A clearly named water bottle is all they’ll need.

Where are choristers educated?

If successful, a chorister place is offered on the condition that the child becomes a pupil at Exeter School from September 2026.

How do Choristerships work?

New entrants to the Choir are admitted as Probationers: they receive specialist musical and voice training, attend Cathedral services and occasionally sing with the Cathedral Choir. The length of the probationary period is not fixed; it varies according to the age of the Probationer and how quickly he or she learns the repertoire. When they are ready, Probationers are installed as full Choristers.

All Choristerships are offered on the understanding that children remain in the Choir and at the School until they reach the normal age of leaving – the end of Year 8 (13+). In addition to the Cathedral Scholarship, each Chorister/Probationer receives free instrumental tuition on one musical instrument and some voice coaching.

At the age of thirteen, pupils move on to a range of leading senior schools. The School has a proven record of scholarship success to many senior schools and a number of senior staff are in place to advise families on the next steps. Often, Exeter Cathedral Choristers receive offers of music scholarships/awards to a number of top senior schools.

Can I tour Exeter School before I apply?

Certainly! The School and Cathedral requires that parents/guardians have toured the school and candidates have had a taster day before candidates can be offered a Choristership.

To arrange a private tour and taster day, please contact our friendly admissions team on: admissions@exeterschool.org.uk | 01392 307080