Form 3's visit to the Cathedral to learn about chorister life

Date: Sunday 21 June 2009

Form 3 walked the mile and a half from school to the Cathedral on Thursday afternoon. They were greeted in the Precincts by Dr Flood, the Cathedral Organist and Master of Choristers, who took them into the Quire to explain a little about what it is like to be a Canterbury Cathedral chorister. The boys and girls were very interested, not least because the previous week they had met all the new Choristers who will join their class in September. The new intake of choristers had spent the day in Form 3, getting to know their peers and meeting their new teachers.

Excitement was to follow as the children were led up the spiral stairs into the great Organ Loft. Dr Flood explained how the Organ works and some lucky children were able to pull out stops! Next it was up the narrow stone stairs to the Song Room and a chance to stand and sing where the Choir have their practices each day.

Squash and cakes followed, with a tour of the choristers’ boarding accommodation at the medieval Choir House. They also enjoyed a turn on the choristers’ very modern trampoline, before the children all attended Evensong.

This is what they had to say about their outing:

“I learnt that the organ was so high up.” Gabriel

“The most frightening part was going down the spiral stairs.” Elsa

“The most exciting part was when we were “stopping” the organ.” Rose

“My favourite part was playing in the garden.” Sophie

“The most frightening part was looking over the Cathedral in the organ loft.” Milly

“My favourite part was having cakes and biscuits.” Hayden

“The most exciting part was when I went on the trampoline.” Ella

“My favourite part was everything.” Ellie

“My most frightening bit was when the lights were turned off.” Matty

“I learnt that the bells had names which were Harry and Dunstan.” Freddie

“The most exciting part was the dormitories.” Alice

“My favourite part was looking at the organ.” Rosalind