Launching Lay Clerks and more music at Nottingham Cathedral

The Cathedral Choir is a much loved and valued part of the life of the Cathedral and the Diocese. It provides an inspiring and moving musical output and source of inspiration for other parishes around the diocese. Following COVID the music department have been re-building adjusting the way it operates to create a more sustainable future for church music here in Nottingham whilst also recognising the ways society has changed, and the needs of students.

Therefore, in order to best equip and preserve the musical tradition on Nottingham Cathedral we have taken the exciting decision to appoint a team of Lay Clerks to support the team of Choral Scholars and the dedicated volunteers here at the Cathedral. Whilst this is in part a response to difficulties that we have found in recruiting scholars, it has also been taken to ensure better musical provision of music at the Cathedral is less susceptible to changes and absences.

This will help the Cathedral Choir meet the demands necessary for the liturgical life of the Cathedral whilst enabling for a better scholarship experience as they work alongside experienced singers. It will also help us to be better prepared for the future as we look to increase the musical output at the Cathedral including regular vespers.

We have been fortunate to establish a successful Schools Singing Programme in the past two years which continues to grow as we look to the future, growing and encouraging talent here in Nottingham. The Boys and Girls Choirs here at the Cathedral and the Mansfield Children’s Choir have been steadily growing in confidence and number and given time will become a strong part of the musical output of the Cathedral and hopefully in turn become members of the Cathedral Choir. Whilst this is a long term goal, now is the time to lay the foundations for these plans as we continue to recover from the pandemic. The Lay Clerks will be a vital support to these programmes as they demonstrate the progression routes and increase the talent and expertise in the music department.

​If you are interested in being one of our talented and experienced lay clerks, please get in touch at: cathedralmusic@dioceseofnottingham.uk for more information and to apply.