Talented musicians at Dame Allan’s Schools will be able to join Newcastle’s acclaimed Cathedral Choir and take part in tours, recordings and broadcasts, as part of a new choral scholarship programme.
Three older pupils at the Newcastle-based school have been awarded scholarships to sing with the cathedral’s senior girls’ choir, exclusively for girls in Years 10 to 13, while four younger singers – two boys and two girls – have joined the main cathedral choir.
Newcastle Cathedral’s director of music Ian Roberts said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our historic link with Dame Allan’s Schools through the choral scholarship programme.
“The high standard of teaching and musicmaking at Dame Allan’s Schools and the unique musical education offered by the cathedral make us perfect partners in the musical formation of young people.”
The seven vocalists awarded scholarships attend weekly rehearsals and services at the cathedral.
Chris Foster, Dame Allan’s Schools’ director of music, said the scholarship programme offers students with an interest in choral singing an excellent opportunity.
“It not only allows them to develop their choral singing skills, but to form friendships with other talented musicians from across the city. It also gives singers excellent experience if they want to apply for a university choral scholarship in the future and is a commendable addition to a UCAS application or CV.
“The scholars will be given the opportunity to sing a wide variety of music spanning hundreds of years.”