The Choristers form the treble line of the Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. As of 2022, the choristers are made up of boys and girls. Choristers usually join the choir (and St George’s School if they are not already pupils) at the start of Year 4, and then remain with the choir and school until the end of Year 8 when they move on to senior school. We may also admit choristers in older years should vacancies remain.
Choristers at St George’s rehearse every weekday morning and sing services in the chapel on four weekdays and on Sundays (Saturdays are usually commitment free, with rare exceptions). This schedule develops not only their musical talents, but nurtures key skills such as leadership, team work, and time management. The choristership affords these talented young children a generous scholarship worth 50% of the full school and boarding fees (additional limited means-tested bursaries may also be available) to attend St George’s School. The choristers board at St George’s School, though this is not full-time boarding in the traditional sense, with all children going home on Friday evenings and returning on Sunday morning, and optional boarding on Sunday and Wednesday nights – though many do choose to stay and enjoy the boarding house activities. The choristers also receive tuition on an instrument as part of their scholarship, and singing lessons from one of the UK’s finest teachers of young voices. Being a chorister also means singing over Christmas and Easter
The Choir of St George’s Chapel was founded in 1348 and sings regularly in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal family. In 2018, this included singing at both Royal Weddings in St George’s Chapel: for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the May, and for HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank in the October. The choir has recently released a CD of Christmas music which was met with critical acclaim, and has broadcast on radio, most recently in June 2021 with Sunday Worship (BBC Radio 4) and Choral Evensong (BBC Radio 3).
In the video below, filmed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and before our announcement to include girls in the treble line, some of our current and former choristers show you what they do, and what life as a chorister at St George’s Chapel is all about. You can also find further information on Being a Chorister in our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, and Chessy Alden ([email protected]) is pleased to speak with prospective applicants’ parents/carers at any time. We usually hold our chorister open day Chorister for a Day in January, inviting prospective applicants in Year 3 and their parents to find out more ahead of auditions in February.