Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge
Joining the Choir
Pembroke does not make choral awards until students arrive in October. Auditions for places in the Choir (known as Choristerships) are held towards the end of freshers' week every year.
Choristers can expect to sing an average of two services a week, in return for which they receive free singing lessons, heavily subsidised international tours and a free formal meal every Sunday.
Alongside regular Choristerships, the College appoints a small consort of Choral Exhibitioners each year. Exhibitioners sing all regular services, as well as Sung Eucharist every Sunday, providing an opportunity to explore some more challenging consort repertoire. Exhibitioners are encouraged to take the lead with the Choir's extensive outreach work, both continuing existing projects and exploring means of expansion. In return, they receive the standard choir benefits alongside a small annual stipend.
To apply, please fill out the audition application form, or email Anna Lapwood at arel2@cam.ac.uk
Commitments
During term time, the choir sings three services per week in the college chapel. Evensongs on Sundays and Complines on Wednesdays involve the full choir, while choral Eucharist on Sunday mornings provides an opportunity for smaller ensemble singing.
The weekly schedule is as follows:
Sunday 09:00 – 10:00 Rehearsal (Semichorus)
10:15 – 11:00 Choral Eucharist
15:45 – 17:45 Rehearsal (Full Choir)
18:00 – 19:00 Choral Evensong
19:30 – 20:30 Formal Hall
Wednesday 20:00 – 21:20 Rehearsal
21:30 – 22:00 Compline
22:00 onwards Cocktails!
Alongside weekly services, the choir regularly sings in Commemoration services, concerts and joint evensongs with other college choirs; these irregular performances are confirmed before the start of each term so that choir members are able to schedule their other commitments around them.
Click and drag the interactive panorama below to explore a choir's eye view from the choir stalls.
