FIVE choristers who joined Salisbury Cathedral choir as trainees in September have been officially admitted as full choristers following two traditional ‘bumping’ ceremonies.
Henrietta Macmillan, Eva Sage, Jessica Roome were admitted as full choristers to the girls’ choir in a special Evensong service on April 27.
This included being presented their tabards, and the ‘bumping’ ceremony where the senior choristers bump a large Bible on the new choristers’ head whilst chanting a welcome, a tradition created when the choir was formed in 1991 and unique to the girls.
On May 3, probationers Arthur Jones and Jack Rigby were admitted to the Boys Choir in another special Evensong service.
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However, instead of being bumped with a Bible, the boys use the ‘bumping’ stone, where the senior choristers bump the head of the new chorister seven times on the bumping stone as all the choristers chant a welcome.
Thankfully the stone is curved, and no choristers are harmed during this time-honoured tradition.
This year’s new cathedral choristers are not only singers but are also learning at least one or two other instruments, including piano, violin, oboe, guitar and flute, making good use of the excellent music teaching available at the cathedral school.
The boys hit the ground running the next day, singing at the Easter Carol Service, a relatively new service in our Eastertide festivities.
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- The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos Dean of Salisbury, Arthur Jones, Jack Rigby and the Revd Anna Macham Canon-Precentor Picture: Salisbury Cathedral/Finbarr Webster
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- The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos Dean of Salisbury Eva Sage Henrietta Macmillan Jessica Roome and The Revd Anna Macham Canon-Precentor Picture: Salisbury Cathedral/ Finnbarr Webster
As well as playing a vital role in the daily worship of the cathedral, the choir will also take part in broadcasts, recording music, touring and giving concerts across the diocese.
David Halls, director of music at the cathedral, said: “It has been a busy few months and the probationers have worked hard to earn their early admission into the choir.
“It is an exciting time for us as we prepare to host the Southern Cathedrals Festival at Salisbury this year, bringing the choirs of Salisbury, Chichester and Winchester Cathedral together for a celebration of sacred choral music.”
More information about how to become a chorister at Salisbury Cathedral is available on their website, salisburycathedral.org.uk
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