Choir School

It can be a little confusing when trying to describe the differences between the Cs and Qs, because they are, in fact, very similar. They are all pupils at Pilgrims’ and for most of the school day, their routine is no different to the rest of the school. They attend all lessons, play sport and are made available for matches.  They have the same school-wide friendship groups as everyone else at school. 

The time commitment is almost identical: the Choristers sing more services each week but the Quiristers have either a service, choir practice or instrument practice. 

Interestingly, there is a slight difference in their sound. This is partly because they have different Directors of Music, partly because of the acoustics of the two different venues, partly because of who sings in the choir.  

In the Cathedral, the  ‘back row’ is made up of adult professional singers, salaried by the Cathedral; the College back row is Winchester College senior boys, girls and staff. 

The main difference which parents consider is the extra commitment at the end of each term with Quiristers being mostly term-time only.   

There is no swapping between choirs but the two Foundations do join forces each term to sing a special Evensong together. Both choirs are highly respected and each offers an extraordinary opportunity for your son, with The Pilgrims’ School at the heart of everything they do.

Most choristers learn to play the piano and an orchestral instrument.  Practice is timetabled and supervised by Pilgrims’ music staff.  In terms of an all-round education, this instils an understanding of the value of putting the time and effort into something, which Pilgrims’ boys benefit from their whole lives.  

Many Choristers and Quiristers attain high ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) grades and all gain an understanding and appreciation of a breadth of music beyond the graded syllabus and beyond what many children have access to. 

Both choirs are in school at the weekends, but with a slightly different routine. Whenever possible, boys may go home for part of the weekend.  We also have ‘exeats’ twice each term, a weekend off for the school. Both choirs have some, but not all of the exeats.  

The Junior Quiristers (Year 5) board at Main School and move to Q School when they are in Year 6.  It’s even closer to Winchester College than we are.   The Choristers all board at Main School, because it is very close to the Cathedral. 

Many of our choral scholars are awarded either a Music Scholarship or Exhibition from their chosen senior school, formal recognition that they have a high level of musical ability.   

Being a chorister is also widely recognised as giving boys confidence, a respect for teamwork,  a strong work ethic,  an ability to speak and perform in public and organisational skills. 

Aside from choir practices and services, the Cs and Qs follow the same timetable and curriculum as the rest of the school. Academic lessons, music tuition, sport, activities and essential ‘time out’ are arranged meticulously by the school to fit around the boys’ various singing commitments. 

Inevitably, a special concert, service, broadcast, filming or recording will occasionally clash with lessons. The boys in both choirs are assigned a tutor who takes great care to ensure that academic continuity is maintained. The tutor will also ensure that the boys are happy, coping with their busy schedule, and thriving on doing what they love best. 

Financial circumstances should be no obstacle to a boy becoming a Chorister or Quirister. Substantial choral scholarships are awarded to each boy and additional means-tested bursaries are available, worth up to 100% of the full boarding fee (per annum). The Choral Foundations also pay for singing lessons and tuition for one of the musical instruments learned. If you would like more information about choral funding, please contact the Registrar, Emma Short, at the school.

Yes. Your son may still have an offer of a place in the school, even if they are not offered a place in the choir. Your musical son will still benefit from coming to one of the top prep schools in the country which is very musical, with several other choirs and endless opportunities to learn instruments.   

An informal audition can be arranged at any time throughout the academic year, by individual arrangement with the Registrar. There are also many Be A Chorister events where you can meet some of the Choristers and Quiristers, and talk to their parents. 

Quirister auditions are held when a boy is in Year 4, to join the choir in Year 5 (aged 9/10).  

Chorister auditions are held when a boy is in Year 3, to join the choir in Year 4 (aged 8/9).  

Yes. Your son may still have an offer of a place in the school, even if they are not offered a place in the choir. Your musical son will certainly benefit from the great wealth of choral and instrumental opportunities, as well as everything else that the school can provide as one of the top prep schools in the country. The Registrar will be pleased to discuss the options with you.