Giving Gifted Children a Chance
“We can honestly say we would not be where we are now if it wasn’t for Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust. There is no way we could have made the decision to move across the county if it wasn’t for their support. Being a Cathedral chorister is more than just singing. Our girls have learned about self discipline, how to be part of a team, developed leadership skills, grown in their self confidence, and have had experiences beyond anything we could have imagined. All of this and a first class musical education. It is an experience that will be with them for the rest of their lives and we will forever be grateful to the Trust for helping us to make it happen.”
A Chorister Parent
Wells Angels Donor Levels
Regular support is best. It helps the Trust to plan ahead and assist more children. Wells Angels are a special group of supporters who want to help choristers for the long-term. You become a Wells Angel by setting up a regular gift for as little as £10 a month.
Below you can see the range of donor levels and the angelic recognition that comes with each.
Meeting Sir Simon Rattle when the choristers sang at the BBC Proms
cherubim
Monthly gift of £10+
Singing for The Pride of Britain Awards on ITV
Invitation to the annual Trust evensong and reception
Invitation to a termly open rehearsal
Receive copies of the choir newsletter
seraphim
Monthly gift of £30+
All the above, plus:
Discounted copy of all new CDs
Pre-booking priority for Candlelight Concerts
and all Trust-promoted events *Invitation to the End of Choir Year Evensong and Tea Party
All choristers are educated at Wells Cathedral School
archangel
Monthly gift of £85+
All the above, plus:
Two half-price Candlelight Concert Tickets in front row seats *
Free copy of all new CDs (and discounted copies
of all past CDs, where available)
A concert given in St Paul’s Cathedral, London
GUARDIAN
Annual Gifts of £5,000+
All the above, plus:
Priority complimentary reserved seats for all Trust concerts and events
(to include up to 4 complimentary tickets for Candlelight Concerts)Invitation to an annual Guardian Angels Reception & Dinner
* the monthly donation must be made for a minimum of 12 months for this benefit to apply
The girl choristers having fun in the snow!
Some of the boy choristers relax between rehearsals
Robe fitting at the start of the year
our alumni : what wells did for us…
Meeta Raval - Opera Singer, Cardiff Singer of the World Finalist 2011
”It was at Wells that all my music foundations were built. I grew in confidence in that rich environment and it gave me a wonderful grounding. Having the opportunity to perform professionally from such a young age is an unbeatable opportunity for talented children.”
David Buckley - Hollywood Soundtrack Composer
“My chorister days at Wells were some of the happiest I can recall, and I still maintain friendships from that time. They also prepared me for the career I am in today; not only from a musical perspective, but also by learning how to play as a team and how to conduct oneself in professional situations that most children would not normally know about. They were the best of times and I owe Wells an awful lot.”
Annabel Green - Choral Scholar, Trinity College, Cambridge
“Being a chorister at Wells provided me with a lifelong appreciation of the arts and music and their crucial role within the community. At Wells, I was given a unique insight into the relevance of not only religion, but the arts and music today. I would say it was the most vital part of my education.”
Jeremy Lloyd - Film & West End Theatre Actor
“As an actor, the ability to listen and take direction is key. To be able to adapt, adjust and react in the moment is vital. These are all skills that I learnt as a chorister. Creating and telling stories with others is a skill and passion I truly treasure, and choristers do this everyday. Being a chorister instilled a love for artistic collaboration at the highest level.”
Folasade-Nelleke Ladipo - Former Girl Head Chorister
“To have had the opportunity to sing in Wells Cathedral Choir was an amazing experience. If the Trust wasn’t there, I know that I and many other choristers wouldn’t have had that chance.”
Dillon Whitehead - Choral Scholar, Trinity College, Cambridge
“Wells Cathedral Choir gave me the most enduring gift that any experience has given me; the ability to participate in music that, had I not been involved, I could only ever have listened to and would not have known I had missed.”
