Frequently asked questions

When do the choirs sing?

The choirs sing during term-time, and at Christmas and Easter. They have holidays in the week following Christmas, at least two weeks during the Easter holidays, the school holidays during late July and August, and at each half-term.

Do the choristers sing every Sunday?

No. The boys’ and girls’ choirs sing on alternate Sundays, so families should have every second Sunday off during term-time, as well as time off during the holidays.

How much does it cost to be in the choir?

There is no cost to parents for choristerships. The costs of running the choral foundation are met by St. Peter’s Church, and by generous individual donors and funding organisations. However, your son or daughter will be receiving tuition and experiences worth hundreds of pounds per year, so there is an expectation that they will be reliable and committed members of the choir once they have settled in.

Are there any other costs involved?

There are no music books or uniforms to buy – these are provided without charge. There may be a few optional costs, such as:

Some social events
Spending money on trips
Residential trips
Optional courses or exams

The Choir Association exists to help to fund these sorts of events, and additional funding might be available where needed. We also ask parents of established choristers to donate £5 per term towards the cost of providing snacks and drinks.

Do we have to be Christians or church-goers?

No you don’t. You just need to be comfortable with being involved in a Church of England parish church.

Why is there an audition?

The audition will be informal and friendly. It gives you a chance to meet us, look round St. Peter’s, and ask us any questions you have. It gives us a chance to hear your son or daughter’s natural voice and musical potential. If you get in touch during term-time, we will probably recommend that your son or daughter joins in with a rehearsal first.

What should we do to prepare for an audition?

There is no need to prepare intensively for an audition. It would be helpful to bring along a favourite piece of music to sing, but this is not essential: every child knows ‘Happy Birthday’ if you’re stuck for ideas!

What happens if there are no places available?

If a child auditions successfully, they will be offered a place if there is a vacancy. If there are no vacancies at that time, we will add your name to the waiting list.

Do parents need to be involved?

Parents don’t need to be on-site during choir activities, so you can just drop your child off and collect them later. But there are lots of opportunities for parents to get involved in all sorts of ways, including socialising with other parents.

Do choristers go to a particular school?

No, St. Peter’s choristers go to a wide range of schools in Bournemouth and Poole, including: