Music at Ripon Cathedral
The Choral Foundation
The Cathedral has recently remodelled its Choral Foundation with places for twenty-four boy
and twenty-four girl Choristers. Choristers can now be pupils from any school in Ripon and the
surrounding area, whereas boys previously all attended the Choir School (now closed). Six
professional Lay Clerks continue to provide the Choir's adult voices.
The Cathedral Choir Schedule
In normal time the Cathedral Choir schedule runs on a fortnightly timetable with boys and
girls singing on Sundays alternately. There are occasional commitments on Mondays and
Saturdays such as special services and events including major feast days and collaborative
festivals with other choirs. With the exception of Sunday morning all pre-service rehearsals
take place in the choir stalls. The Lay Clerks sing one service each week without a treble line
while the choristers rehearse in the Song School.
Week 1
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Week 2
No commitments
No commitments
4.30pm Rehearsal (Boys)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Boys)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Boys & Lay Clerks)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Boys & Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Boys & Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Boys & Lay Clerks)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Girls)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Girls)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Girls & Lay Clerks)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Girls & Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Girls & Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Girls & Lay Clerks)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Boys)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Boys)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Lay Clerks)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Boys & Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Boys & Lay Clerks)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Girls)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Girls)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Girls & Lay Clerks)
5.20pm Rehearsal (Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Girls & Lay Clerks)
6.00pm Evensong (Lay Clerks)
No commitments
No commitments
9.30am Rehearsal (Boys & Lay Clerks)
9.30am Rehearsal (Girls & Lay Clerks)
10.30am Eucharist (Boys & Lay Clerks)
10.30am Eucharist (Girls & Lay Clerks)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Boys & Lay Clerks)
4.30pm Rehearsal (Girls & Lay Clerks)
5.30pm Evensong (Boys & Lay Clerks)
5.30pm Evensong (Girls & Lay Clerks)
The Cathedral Organs
The main organ is an 1878 Lewis instrument which was substantially rebuilt by Harrison &
Harrison in the 20th century. There are two consoles, one on the screen and a mobile console
which can be moved to any part of the building. The organ was overhauled and cleaned in
2013 with playing aids substantially improved on both consoles. Some minor tonal changes
were made with the addition of a new Flute Harmonique on the Great organ, and a new
Mixture on the Choir organ.
In addition to the main organ, the Cathedral has a three stop Harrison & Harrison chamber
organ which is moveable to all parts of the Cathedral, and a digital practice organ is situated
in a soundproof chapel next to the Song School.
The Cathedral has six pianos situated in various parts of the Cathedral and other buildings
allowing a degree of flexibility for rehearsal and performance space.
The organs and pianos may be used for private teaching, but this must be at times which do
not interfere with the usual routine of other staff or the Cathedral.
The Music Department
The Director of Music is responsible for all aspects of the Cathedral’s music, and rehearses
and conducts the choirs at the majority of services.
The Assistant Director of Music is responsible for Cathedral concerts and visiting choirs, plays
the organ at the majority of services, and rehearses and conducts the choirs in the absence of
the Director of Music and at other times as required. The Assistant Director of Music usually
conducts the Lay Clerks’ Evensong on Thursday or Friday each week.
The Cathedral Vocal Coach (who is also the Senior Lay Clerk) works part time giving individual
and group singing lessons to the choristers.
The Cathedral has an aspiration to reinstate the organ scholarship in the near future.
The Music Office
The Music Office is housed in its own building within the grounds of the Cathedral. The
Director of Music’s office and the main Music office are on the ground floor, with the Choir
music library on the upper floor.
The office is furnished with modern office furniture and equipment with individual
workstations for all Music Department staff. A new IT system running Windows 8 was installed
across the Cathedral in 2013.
The Song School
Although rather small, the Song School is ideally situated in the Cathedral. Soundproof with
immediate outside access, it is used for choristers and Consort rehearsals after school and in
the evenings. It also houses the choirs’ robes and music for the week.
The Cathedral Consort
The Cathedral Consort, founded in September 2012, consists of ex-girl choristers from the
Cathedral Choir aged 13 - 18. The Consort rehearse fortnightly and sing one or two services
each month with the Lay Clerks. In addition they perform an annual concert and undertake
engagements outside the Cathedral. Their repertoire predominantly concentrates on the
modern and polyphonic eras but does include music from other periods including Brahms’
German Requiem and Vierne’s Messe Sollonelle.
Cathedral Concerts
The Cathedral runs two successful concert series; the Thursday Lunchtime Concerts and the
Summer Organ Festival.
The Thursday Lunchtime Concerts showcase a variety of instrumental soloists and groups, and
singers and choirs from both the local area and further afield. Admission is free, although
donations are requested and a light lunch is available prior to each concert.
The Summer Organ Festival comprises five or six evening organ recitals on Tuesdays, and has
in the past also included lunchtime concerts on Thursdays. In addition to the normal organ
recitals there have been additional events such as David Briggs improvising a film soundtrack
and a complete liturgical performance of Dupre’s Vespers.
The Choir Association
The Choir Association is a committee of chorister parents whose role is to support the work of
the Cathedral Choir. Chaired by the Director of Music, the association organises the
choristers’ Christmas Party, the Summer Barbecue, the Choir Association Ball and other social
events for members of the Choir community and beyond. They also fundraise for tours and
other choir activities, and assist in the organisation and running of the annual Choir Open
Day.
Music Trust
Launched in 2013, the Ripon Cathedral Music Trust aims to provide an endowment to finance,
sustain and develop the music of the Cathedral in the future.
For further information about Ripon Cathedral visit www.riponcathedral.org.uk