Children sought for cathedral choirs

Children in the St Paul's Cathedral choir rehearse with director of music George Chittenden in the cathedral's basement (from left) Eva Rea, Kayla Smith, Ruby Botica, Arrochar Voice, Skyla Murray, Mila Botica, Nina Amer and Julia Anderson. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.

St Paul's Cathedral director of music George Chittenden said the boys' and girls' choirs both had eight members and had room for up to 20 singers.

''We are looking at getting the next crop of people through and really grow our choir.''

The open afternoons would give prospective new members - children, aged between 7 and 13 - the chance to learn more about the choirs and meet current members, he said.

The boys' choir open afternoon is from 12.30pm and the girls' from 2pm on September 19.

He would be ''delighted'' if he could double the membership of the choirs. Most of the singers recruited at open afternoons last year had stayed in the choirs.

The 75 minute sessions would include singing and vocal technique exercises.

''It gives an opportunity for young enthusiast singers to find out lots more about the theory of music, and the theory of singing, and discover more music and learn how to sing well and to be able to socialise and make friends for life,'' Mr Chittenden said.