Wells Cathedral Choir

A Gramophone panel placed the Wells Cathedral Choir sixth among the world’s choirs and first among those that include boys, while TripAdvisor bestowed a certificate of excellence upon the ensemble. Its lineage stretches back far by English measures: boys are documented singing at Wells Cathedral in 909, and the present choral practice reaches to the early thirteenth century. Eighteen boy choristers, eighteen girl choristers, and twelve adult male Vicars Choral make up the group. The boys and girls ordinarily perform on separate occasions alongside the Vicars Choral, though they unite for certain larger events. The Vicars Choral, whose title reflects their historical role as stand-ins for the canons, trace their origin to the twelfth century; the girl choristers joined them in 1994.

As with other cathedral choirs, the Wells ensemble supplies the daily services, yet it also maintains an unusually extensive schedule of concerts. It has appeared with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and, in 2014, joined the Berlin Radio Choir and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Simon Rattle. Uniquely among cathedral choirs, it sponsors its own festival, new music wells, inaugurated in June 2008. Works by Judith Bingham, Geoffrey Burgon, Bob Chilcott, Jonathan Dove, Gabriel Jackson, John Joubert, James MacMillan, Peter Maxwell Davies, Tarik O’Regan, John Rutter, Howard Skempton, and John Tavener received their first performances there.

The choir’s discography, issued chiefly on Hyperion, Griffin, Regent, and Resonus Classics, encompasses contemporary pieces, liturgical settings, and Renaissance English repertoire. A Wells Christmas appeared in 2016. Supporting activities include the Wells Cathedral Junior Choir. Matthew Owens serves as Organist and Master of Choristers.