Unique opportunity to become Minster chorister

Young people in Suffolk are being given a unique opportunity to join a Minster's choir.

Ipswich Minster on Tower Street in the town centre is looking for boys and girls aged seven to 18 to become choristers.

Chris Borrett, the Minster's director of music, said it was "an amazing learning opportunity" filled with fun.

Choristers Emily, from Stowmarket, and George, from Ipswich, both aged nine, encouraged young people to join and said it was a friendly and welcoming environment.

"It's a unique opportunity, there are very few choirs that do what we do," explained Borrett.

"You have to go to Bury St Edmunds where they have an excellent cathedral choir or to Norwich or down to Chelmsford.

"There's nothing in between so Ipswich is a really important part of the musical network in this part of the world."

Borrett said the choir provided "joyous music" for the Minster's services.

The group have sung on national radio stations, including BBC Radio 4 last year.

Children do not need any musical experience to join and will be invited to a rehearsal where the music director will listen to them singing alongside other children before hopefully getting them stuck in.

Borrett added that former choristers have gone on to prestigious music universities while another had become a speech therapist.

Emily has been part of the choir since March last year and got involved after she was inspired by the BBC's Young Chorister of the Year show.

"I really like being part of a community and making other people cheerful by singing music and performing for them," she said.

Her mother Helen said her daughter had "really found her tribe" and "absolutely loved it right from the beginning".

"To have a local opportunity, the quality of the music she is learning and the way she is being taught is fantastic," she added.

"That's something that's not necessarily easily available in a lot of places so I think we are very lucky."

George joined the choir after being inspired by his older brother Joseph, 13, despite never having sung outside of school music lessons before.

"It's really enjoyable and it's really welcoming when you walk in," he said.

"I love it when we have those big concerts and the audience is looking at you, I just feel warm inside."

George's mother Stella said she was "so glad" they had found out about the choir by chance a few years ago.

"They are given fantastic opportunities and the choir performs to such a high standard that is awe-inspiring to watch," she said.

"They love being choristers, not just for the singing itself, but also for the friendships they've formed within the welcoming, family atmosphere."

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