reproduced from 'Choir Schools Today', the annual journal of the Choir School's Association, issue 5, 1991.
Singing for his Supper
`Once I had a son, I always wanted him to become a chorister'. Linda Coyne's dream came true when nine year-old Lewis started at Lichfield, this September.
"What day is today mum?" came a voice from the back of the car. "It's Friday," I replied. "Oh good, it's choir practice tonight. I love choir."
It was small remarks like these, when my son Lewis was seven years old, which encouraged me to put him forward for a choral scholarship at a Cathedral Choir School.
Mischievous
And yet, in many respects, Lewis, with his strong sturdy legs, his shock of titian (ginger) hair and prime interest in football, was nothing like the traditional image of a chorister. Certainly he was neither ethereal or saintly. He was a typical mischievous little boy who loved outdoor sport, enjoyed annoying his sister and needed to concentrate more on his schoolwork!
It was not until the age of seven that Lewis joined the local church choir and began his first musical instrument, the recorder, and not until he was nearly eight that he began his second instrument, the violin. Neither my husband nor I wanted to put any pressure on him and friends used to laugh at the unlikely spectacle of our son in full football kit, complete with hard won FA badges, playing the violin. But somehow it was natural for Lewis.
Qualities
Once I had a son, I always wanted him to become a chorister, largely I think because I have always loved Church music, Gregorian Chant, the singing of the psalms, Bach's St Matthew Passion and organ works.
When Lewis reached three and a half years I began to telephone several Cathedral Choir Schools to request their prospectus. "What age is your son?" the voice on the other end of the telephone always asked. (Choir Schools monitor inquiries carefully.) "He's six," I replied, fearing that a truthful answer would label me deranged and, worse still, lose that valued prospectus.
However, whilst imagining what could be during those early years, I thought it highly unlikely that Lewis would ever become a chorister. So many qualities and abilities seemed to be a necessary prerequisite for that very special early life. And, most important of all, Lewis had to want it too.
As Lewis grew older, however, the picture began to change. Lewis enjoyed singing in the local church choir and took lessons in two musical instruments in his stride. In addition he began to display a most adaptable personality.
From quite a difficult toddler, he grew into a gregarious little boy who made friends easily, took disappointment philosophically and always looked on the positive side. He was popular with his peers, got on well with adults and adjusted easily in new situations. In addition he retained one valuable quality, his inexhaustible energy, often driving his sister and me to distraction!
Once Lewis reached 7 years, I began to approach choir schools seriously but only after first obtaining an opinion on his voice at the Academy of Music in London. I did not wish to put Lewis through the rigours of what I guessed might be several voice trials if he was not to be a serious candidate, particularly since he was showing increasing enthusiasm at the prospect of becoming a chorister.
Having received an encouraging opinion, we looked at seven possible Cathedral choir schools and Lewis took three voice trials. I quickly learned that obtaining a place at a choir school was a bit of a lottery. Of course musical and intellectual abilities were important factors in gaining a place, but so also were the number of places available, the number of applicants and even the type of voice required.
Apart from the problem of winning a scholarship, an additional concern for me was finding the right school for my son. Choristers have to sing for their supper. They can gain a scholarship in excess of 50 per cent of boarding school education fees plus free tuition in two musical instruments. This is a prize indeed but my concern was to find a school which would offer all this and give the right care for my son. I remember vividly coming away from one choir school after a voice trial and wondering what I would do if Lewis were offered a place. Gut reaction told me it was not the school for Lewis yet I had not yet found the right one. It seemed it was not the done thing to refuse a scholarship. Once offered, a choir school assumed a place would be taken up!
Luckily everything worked out well and, after narrowly missing two scholarships, Lewis was finally offered a choral scholarship at Lichfield Cathedral Choir School in Staffordshire. Somehow everything at Lichfield seemed right for Lewis. I was content that the school offered the right care and environment for him, including lots of opportunities to play football, and he was enthusiastic about going there.
Now nine years old and in his probationary year at Lichfield, Lewis does not yet sing with the choir and his weekends are free. However, by September 1991 he will have full choir duties on Saturdays and Sundays whilst Christmas holidays will not begin for him until 26 December.
It's a hard life as a chorister, but a challenging, rewarding and privileged one which can include overseas visits on choral engagements and many recording sessions. I hope when Lewis grows older he feels we chose a good path for him to follow. Certainly most choristers appear to do well in later life, though not always in the field of music. However, only time will tell. Meanwhile I am looking forward to Christmas 1991 at Lichfield and hearing my son sing on Christmas Day!
Editor's note: Mrs Coyne need not have worried about contacting choir schools at an early stage. They are always happy to help, regardless of a child's age. Many parents share Mrs Coyne's concern about their sons being subjected to the rigours of a voice trial if they stand no chance. Choir Masters are pleased to offer their advice in advance of the voice trial if parents are in doubt.
A Chorister's Day at Lichfield
- 0700 The rising bell
- 0715 First practice of a musical instrument
- 0745 Breakfast
- 0815 First choir practice
- 0920 Lessons
- 1305 Lunch
- 1325 Second practice of a musical instrument
- 1405 Lessons
- 1515 Games
- 1630 Tea and biscuits
- 1645 Second choir practice
- 1730 Choral Evensong
- 1815 Supper
- 1845 Further study, known as prep.
- 1925 Squash and biscuits
- 2100 All are in bed
