Supporting music at St George's

“To St George’s Chapel in the evening for one of the finest pieces of singing I have yet heard there; and the last for a bit.  I shall never mind going to war if I know that I am fighting that such institutions as St George’s may live, for they are England and epitomise the spirit of tradition and worship – the laying before God of the most perfect and beautiful singing that man can produce.  Just as much work and practice goes into each service even when no one is there but God.  There is nothing slip-shod or cheap there, and the result is inspiring and uplifting”.

Written by a young Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards in the summer of 1943, before going off to fight in WWII. He died in Italy, aged just twenty-one – taken from the Friends 1949 Annual Report.

The Choir of St George’s Chapel has sung services at St George’s since the foundation of the College of St George in 1348. Continuing in the English Choral tradition, the Choir consists of up to 24 boy choristers, educated at St George’s School, and 12 Lay Clerks – professional singing men who live at Windsor Castle with their families.

As well as singing daily at Evensong during the days of the College term (except Wednesdays), the Choir also sings at the Sunday Mattins and Eucharist services as well as numerous special services as part of the liturgical calendar year.

They sing regularly in front of Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family and take part in special services throughout the year, like St George’s Day in April and Garter Day in June, as well as Royal christenings, weddings and funerals, when these take place at St George’s.

For all general enquiries about the music in St George's Chapel, please email music@stgeorges-windsor.org

The Choral Endowment

Mantaining a choir of this size to the standard demanded of a national institution like St George’s takes considerable expertise, time and resources – from the recruitment, training and education of choristers to the provision of accommodation for Lay Clerks and the purchase of music and robes.

One of the ways of meeting this requirement is with a Choral Endowment Fund. This will help not only to meet the current need, but help to secure the future of the Choir of St George’s Chapel in the longer term. With the English Choral tradition under threat, this need is greater than ever.

Choral Endowment Update – 23 April 2008

We are enormously grateful for the Donald and Jeanne Kahn Choral Endowment which takes our current total to £3 million.

In addition, the recent 4 year commitment (starting 2008) of an anonymous benefactor towards the annual costs of the Choir has relieved the financial pressure of maintaining the Choir in the short-term. The Dean and Canons have decided to use this opportunity to review the long-term strategy for the Choir of St George’s Chapel and consolidate the various support mechanisms in order that we can build not only a truly world-class choir, but also secure its future for subsequent generations to enjoy.

To find out more about the Choral Endowment or to make a donation, please contact us.

Chorister Bursaries

The Dean and Canons of Windsor currently offer all choristers 50% bursaries for tuition and boarding at St George’s School.

Two privately funded bursaries also offer up to 100% to certain candidates.

It is the intention of the Dean and Canons, as funding becomes available, to offer a greater number of means tested 100% bursaries to those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend St George’s School.

To find out more about Chorister Bursaries, please contact St George's School either by email enqs@stgwindsor.co.uk or Telephone 01753 865553. Alternatively please visit the St George's School section of the website.

Other ways to get involved

Become a chorister
St George’s is always looking to recruit new choristers, if you would like to find out more, please click here.

Purchase music sung by the Choir of St George’s Chapel

Sponsorship
The Choir of St George’s Chapel takes part in a series of concerts both at St George’s Chapel and internationally each year. There is also a recording programme of compact discs of the Choir’s music. If you would like to find out about sponsorship opportunities in either of these areas, please contact us.