The Cathedral Choir
(Next month’s Music List will be available here as soon as it is prepared)
Cathedral Choir
Music plays a central role in the Cathedral’s worshipping life. The Cathedral Choir sings at three services per week during term-time, as well as at special services for the diocese, city, and region. They also undertake occasional broadcasts, concerts, and tours. The Choir belongs to the Anglican choral tradition with a repertoire that spans from medieval plainsong to newly commissioned music. There are three distinct sections (choristers, youth choir, and adults) led by the Cathedral’s professional musicians. We are always keen to hear from potential new recruits from all sections of the choir – you can find out more information below, and how to get in touch.
The Cathedral Choristers are boys and girls aged 7 to 13. Unlike other Cathedrals which have a dedicated Choir School, our Choristers are drawn from a number of schools across Newport and beyond. They have regular rehearsals and training, and the Cathedral supports their musical development by offering bursaries towards music lessons and attending residential courses. Being a Cathedral Chorister offers an unrivalled musical education and is open to any child that loves to sing. New Choristers join as ‘Probationers’ who receive training in music theory and singing as well as attending the rehearsals with the Choristers for about a year. They will then be ‘made up’ to a full Chorister in a small ceremony at one of the services. ‘Chorister Experience’ events are held periodically, inviting children to come and see what it is like sing to be part of the Cathedral Choir.
Chorister weekly routine:
Wednesdays After school rehearsal and Evensong
Thursdays After school theory and rehearsal
Sundays Either: Morning rehearsal and Eucharist
Or: Afternoon rehearsal and Evensong (alternate weeks)
The Cathedral Youth Choir was founded in January 2025 and is a mixed SATB choir for teenaged singers. The Youth Choir shares in the singing of services at the Cathedral, with rehearsals on Wednesdays, and singing one of the Sunday services. Many of our Choristers ‘graduate’ to the Youth Choir but it is open to any young singer between 13 and 18 in secondary education. It is excellent preparation for university choral scholarships, as well as more generally developing important musical skills.
Youth Choir weekly routine:
Wednesdays Rehearsal and Evensong, with rehearsal afterwards
Sundays Either: Morning rehearsal and Eucharist
Or: Afternoon rehearsal and Evensong (alternate weeks)
Known as the ‘Back Row’, the Cathedral Choristers and Youth Choir are supported by our adult volunteers who sing alto, tenor, and bass at nearly all services. They receive a termly honorarium for their time and commitment.
Back Row (Adults) weekly routine:
Wednesdays Rehearsal and Evensong, with rehearsal afterwards
Sundays Morning rehearsal and Eucharist
Evening rehearsal and Evensong
Could you help to support Newport Cathedral Choir? Our Patrons Scheme invites you to contribute a sum, on a regular basis, knowing that some of the very significant expenses can be covered – music, robes, training, travel to sing at other venues and more. Some of our very talented choristers travel a considerable distance, for love of being a part of this special choir, and we aim to give some help towards the costs involved.
Click here for some further information, or please get in touch with the Cathedral Management Team. Thank you. coo@newportcathedral.org.uk 01633 267464
Cathedral Music Team
Tom Coxhead has been Director of Music at Newport Cathedral since September 2024 and is responsible for music at all of the Cathedral’s services and the running of the Cathedral Choir.
Tom began his musical education as a chorister at Chester Cathedral, learning the organ with Roger Fisher. He studied at Durham University as an undergraduate and later completed a research MA on the choral music of Kenneth Leighton. Tom has previously held positions at Brecon and Ripon Cathedrals, as well as Ampleforth College and Harrogate Ladies’ College. While studying choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music under Patrick Russill, where he gained an MMus with distinction, Tom had a busy freelance portfolio in London as a conductor, organist, and teacher. He is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists, Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, and a trustee of the Finzi Friends.
Jeremy Blasby joined the music department at Newport in 2010, and is the Associate Director of Music. Jeremy is the principal accompanist to the Cathedral Choir and assists the Director of Music.
Jeremy was for five years a chorister at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. He studied organ with Anne Page in Cambridge, and subsequently embarked upon joint principal studies in organ and harpsichord at the Royal Northern College of Music. Following further organ studies with Ludger Lohmann in Stuttgart, he taught organ at the Conservatory of the Catholic University of Porto. As a recitalist, accompanist and continuo player, he has appeared in Great Britain, Europe and the USA.
We are always pleased to hear from people who are interested in joining the Cathedral Choir. Please get in touch to arrange an informal audition with the Director of Music via the contact details below.
Contact
You can get in touch with the music department via the Cathedral Office: 01633 267464
or enquiries@newportcathedral.org.uk. You can also contact the Director of Music directly: tomcoxhead@newportcathedral.org.uk
Musical Training
Many of the choristers have gone on to choose music for GCSE and A-level, and a number have later won prestigious cathedral and university choral scholarships. It is hoped that many of the choristers will be just as successful in the future and we believe that the love of music that began at Newport Cathedral will remain with all our choristers, old and young, for the rest of their lives!
The education of the children in the choir is an important part of the Cathedral’s mission: the children receive a first rate, free musical training and work to a professional standard, having fun in a disciplined environment, developing good team work, self-confidence and commitment. Whilst some of the work of the choir is undoubtedly demanding, we believe that the rewards to the children’s personal development are incalculable.
