If you would like more information about these choirs, or would like to join, please contact the Director of Music, Michael Stoddart by email directorofmusic@stnicnewcastle.co.uk or by telephone, 0191 261 4505.
The Cathedral now has no choir school, but is an associate member of the Choir Schools Association and has close links with a mixture of state and independent schools. The boys and girls are drawn from a variety of schools throughout the city, thus enjoying all the benefits of a cathedral choristership while remaining in their family environment.
Boys' Choir
The Parish Church of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne may only have been raised to Cathedral status in 1882, but the church has been part of the English Choral tradition since at least the sixteenth century. In 1503, Princess Margaret, daughter of Henry VII and engaged to marry James IV of Scotland, passed through Newcastle on her way north. When crossing the bridge over the Tyne there were a number of children in surplices: "who sang melodious hymns, accompanying themselves with instruments of many sorts".
Girls' Choir
The Girls' Choir is a more recent institution having been founded in 2008. As well as singing for one or two cathedral services each week, it also performs in concerts and services more broadly throughout the diocese. This summer the girls went to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) to sing at services and concerts, as well as having great fun as part of the Viking celerations.
Lay Clerks
Lay Clerkships are offered by the Chapter of Newcastle Cathedral for gentlemen singers with very good vocal ability and sight-reading and who will be experts in choral singing. They must be independent enough to be able to sing by themselves in a group and not rely on others for musical and vocal support. Lay Clerks will either be committed Christians or in sympathy with the aims and teachings of the Christian Church. Lay Clerks are expected to lead by example through musical accuracy, vocal ability, punctuality and in appearance.