Join Frideswide Voices
The girls' choir of Christ Church, Frideswide Voices, is open to girls of all backgrounds, from any school. Girl choristers at Christ Church do not attend the Cathedral School, but instead come to the Cathedral two or three times a week at the end of the school day. Girls need not be resident in the city of Oxford (indeed, some former choristers have travelled quite some distance to take part) but families should be aware that choristership is a signficant commitment and will involve regular travel into Oxford several times a week.
Girls join the Choir as pre-probationers (trainees) at the start of Year 3. We are always interested in hearing from potential choristers when they are in Year 2 with a view to membership from September of Year 3; families should aim to express an interest by the Spring of Year 2 (the academic year in which girls turn 7). Occasional vacancies sometimes occur for older girls; interested families or teachers should contact the Frideswide Voices Choir Manager at the earliest opportunity for details of these, or to be placed on a waiting list.
Parents, prospective choristers, and music teachers are warmly invited to attend a taster evening ('Be a Chorister for an Evening') - these are held each Spring.
'Be a Chorister for a Day' taster events in 2023
Each year, the Cathedral hosts a selection of taster events for girls, boys and their families who may be interested in choristership. FV typically holds one 'Be a Chorister' afternoon in the Spring term, and a second in the Summer term, before auditions (usually held in mid-June), for girls to experience what it might be like to become a Frideswide chorister.
Our Be a Chorister events, for entry in September 2023, will be held on Saturday 4th March and Saturday 20th May 2023. To register for either event please email frideswide.voices@chch.ox.ac.uk
These events are open to girls in Year 1 and Year 2 (older girls are welcome, though families should be aware that entry to the choir is not normally available after this point), for entry in September of Year 3 (the academic year in which girls turn 8).
Each event includes the opportunity to:
- try on some choir robes
- play musical games and learn songs with Frideswide Voices' tutors
- have a tour of the Cathedral and College
- join a rehearsal with the choristers
- sing with the Choir at a service in the Cathedral
There will also be a Q&A session when parents can hear from a panel of staff, parents and girls about what being a FV chorister entails, and ask any questions.
To register for a Be a Chorister for a Day event, please email frideswide.voices@chch.ox.ac.uk
Auditions 2023
This year's auditions will be held in central Oxford on Saturday 17th June 2023.
Book an audition online (link will be live from Sunday 21st May 2023).
What will an audition for Frideswide Voices, of Christ Church, Oxford entail?
After some vocal warm-ups, candidates will be asked to sing a short prepared piece of their choice (this may be sacred or secular, accompanied or unaccompanied). Some simple aural tests will then be given (e.g. singing or clapping back a phrase played on the piano). Girls will also be asked to read a short poem or hymn text, and are likely to be asked about why they enjoy music and singing. The audition will last up to ten minutes. If presenting an accompanied piece, please provide an extra copy of the music for the pianist.
We welcome applications from girls and their families with no musical background or experience; we are looking for girls who love singing and music and enjoy a challenge. Please get in touch with us if you would like to know more about what to expect on the day - we work hard to make sure audition days are fun and relaxed, and that girls come away having enjoyed themselves.
Our list of Frequently Asked Questions provides answers to most of the things that people want to know at this stage, such as:
- What will an audition for Frideswide Voices entail?
- Do singers need to be able to read music to join Frideswide Voices?
- How much does it cost to become a member of Frideswide Voices?
- What about practical arrangements (e.g. times/dates/venues, parking arrangements, etc.)?
- What arrangements will be in place for my child’s pastoral care?
How to apply
Families do not necessarily need to have attended a taster event to apply, though we are always glad to meet young singers before our auditions. To apply, please download and complete the form at the top of this page, and return it to frideswide.voices@chch.ox.ac.uk. You can also request an accessible copy of this form from the same address.
