WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?• At <strong>Blackburn</strong> there is no ‘choir school’ as such. Choristers are drawnfrom a variety of different local schools.• Boys are normally between 7 and 10 years old when they join thechoir.• The high standards which boys reach help with school work andimprove levels of concentration.• Former choristers have won choral and organ scholarships to Oxford,Cambridge and other prestigious colleges and universities.• Having a son in the choir provides the opportunity for you to getto know other choir parents. There are good social opportunitiesas well as ways of getting involved with the choir and the wider<strong>Cathedral</strong> community.• Parents feel reassured that their child’s leisure time is not wasted butis thoroughly constructive as well as fun.If you would like to find out more about music at <strong>Blackburn</strong> <strong>Cathedral</strong>please visit www.blackburncathedral.com. You will see manyphotographs and find out about our choirs and music staff.HOW CAN I ARRANGE FOR MY SON TO COME AND TRYTHE CHOIR?You and your son are welcome to come and see what is involved andto meet the music staff.Please contact Linda Bruce, Music Administrator, on 01254 503082to find a time to try singing in the choir. Alternatively send an emailto: linda.bruce@blackburn.anglican.org.WHAT HAVE OTHERS SAID ABOUT THE CATHEDRALCHOIR?“We know that families testify to the life-changing experienceof music making, and are grateful for the enjoyment and sense ofpurpose it offers their children.”The Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, Dean of <strong>Blackburn</strong>“Our son has travelled the world, met celebrities and dignitaries andhas keenly sung for the well known and the humble. He still wantsto do more. We, together with our son, have a deep sense that themusic he sings and the purpose of that music is far greater and farmore reaching than can be expressed through words. We are trulyin awe of the musical director, his team and all the choirs. May thejourney last!”Bill and Guilaine Woodburn, parents“Being a member of <strong>Blackburn</strong> <strong>Cathedral</strong> choir helped our son tomature and develop as a person. It has been a most rewarding partof our lives too.”Stuart and Dawn Forshaw, parents“I’m new and I’m loving it because everybody is really friendly andyou get to learn great music.”Oliver Fulwell, probationer“Through the choir I met VIPs including Condoleezza Rice andPrincess Anne. I have been on Radio 2, 3 and 4, made CD recordingsand have also taken part in Songs of Praise on TV. I enjoy taking partin concerts every year, such as Christmas Spectacular, Messiah andLast Night of the Proms.”Michael Carr, former chorister“The choir offers a young boy friendship, musical training andexperience, and the development of reliability and responsibilities.Without this involvement I do not think Aidan would have picked upso much, so young, so quickly. “Graham Halsall, parent“With <strong>Blackburn</strong>’s great, old choral tradition backing it, little lessthan a magnificent performance of Handel’s Messiah could beexpected at the Manoel earlier this week. Members of the MaltaPhilharmonic Orchestra performed the oratorio together withthe choir of <strong>Blackburn</strong> <strong>Cathedral</strong>. They made a fine blend of reallylovely crisp, well-articulated voices whose impeccable phrasing anddiction were an utter delight. They sang with an apparent ease whichmade difficult runs seem like mere trifles, and with a nigh pure toneresulting in great satisfactory amalgamation of texture. There was noway one could single out which of the choruses sounded best forthey all came across very well, fugues and all.”The Times of Malta, February 28 2009This brochure has been made in memory of Harold Thornber