Becoming a Cathedral Chorister

“My experience at Saint Patrick’s gave my life as a musician a positive sense of direction and purpose it could not otherwise have had. I’d do it all again in a flash!”

Peter McMahon, chorister (1979-82)
Theatre director, Hamburg, Germany

Becoming a Cathedral Chorister opens a world of exciting performing opportunities including regular broadcasts, concerts, recordings & tours.

The choristers are educated at the Cathedral Choir School (a Co-educational National School) which is renowned for the excellence of its teaching staff, and for its friendliness: small classes mean a real focus and care for each child. It is also unique in being the only choir school in the country, as well as being the oldest school in Ireland.

NB Sadly due to the choir’s timetable all choristers have to attend the choir school.

Entrance is via a voice trial (a very simple one to determine vocal potential and the like, we normally get them to sing something very simple like Twinkle little star) and an informal chat with the parents and Principal if they show the potential to be a Cathedral Chorister.

During the last few years, the choristers have performed regularly live on TV and Radio, in front of VIPs including the President and His Holiness The Pope, on the stage of Gaiety Theatre and the National Concert Hall with both the RTÉ Symphony and Concert Orchestras, have toured extensively and recorded 5 critically acclaimed commercial CDs the most recent of which was released in 2020.

Want to learn even more? Download one of our parental guides for choristerships.

BOY CHORISTERS: A Guide for Parents

GIRL CHORISTERS: A Guide for Parents

Want to organise a voice trial – fill out a REGISTER OF INTEREST FORM online and we’ll contact you to arrange an audition.

“My six years in the Choir taught me focus, flair and harmony and instilled in me a love of music that is impossible to shake off ”

Eppie Caffrey, Chorister 2005-11