Cathedral promotes six choristers

Thursday, 26 September 2024 05:55

Salisbury Cathedral celebrated the promotion of six choristers to Senior Chorister and one admission to Full Chorister with a traditional ‘bumping’ ceremony.

There were celebrations this September as Salisbury Cathedral’s choristers were promoted for their final year in the choir.

Phoebe Budd and Emmie Piper were promoted to Senior Choristers during a special Evensong service on 8 September.

This was followed by another special Evensong service on 15 September where boy choristers Joshua Field, Gabriel Watson, Frederick Lumley and Fred Maltby were also promoted to Senior Choristers.

There was also one addition to the boy choristers, as Vincent Harris was admitted into the choir with a special ‘bumping ceremony,’ a time-honoured tradition where the Senior Choristers bump the head of the new chorister seven times on the bumping stone as all the choristers chant a welcome.

The stone itself is curved for this ceremony, with no one knowing where this tradition comes from, or whether the stone was purposefully curved or if it has been worn down by head bumping over the centuries.

David Halls Director of Music said, “I am delighted to promote such excellent singers to Senior Choristers. Michaelmas term is always a busy one, with a big run up to Advent and Christmas.

"Our boys and girls work relentlessly, with impressive dedication for ones so young, to master some of the most complex and beautiful liturgical music that has ever been written. Our newly appointed Senior Choristers are crucial in encouraging and supporting the rest of the choir through this exciting and busy part of the year”

September also brings the start of the 2025 recruitment season, which kicks off with Be a Chorister for a Day on Saturday, 12th October, where children in Years 2, 3 and 4 can experience what it is like to be a chorister, meet the current cohort and enjoy singing in a special Evensong service.

To register for the free event and begin your child’s musical journey, fill in the application form on salisburycathedral.org.uk