Elizabeth Stratford
Following an intensive period of vocal training with the existing adult mixed voice choir she then formed places for a mixed sex group of 14 choristers. The majority of children were recruited from local schools and, 8 years on, some of the original chorister group remain in the Cathedral choir and have progressed to the adult choir, passing examinations and winning awards and scholarships along the way. The choir has grown immensely over the past few years and attracts membership from many different areas within the Diocese. Past choristers have gone on to win scholarships to Lancing College, Brighton College, Hurstpierpoint College, Wells Cathedral School, The Prebendal School, The Towers Convent School and Worth Abbey School.
In 2003 the choir recorded on the Priory label and produced the CD The Secret of Christ, which received excellent reviews. The following year the choir took a residency in Canterbury Cathedral for a week singing Choral Evensong services and in 2005 recorded on the Herald label featuring music which spans the church's year. Following concert and other performance engagements, the choir recorded on the Priory label again in 2007 and in 2008 took a week's residency at York Minster singing services whilst the Minster choir were on holiday. In 2010 the choir recorded music for Corpus Christi, the celebration of the Body of Christ, which, in Arundel, is specially marked by the making of a carpet of flowers, laid down the central aisle of the Cathedral. This disc, produced by Regent Records, features music associated with the Mass celebrated in Arundel Cathedral each year. All recordings are available via this website or the Cathedral shop.
The choir now offers places to 24 choristers and 16 adults. In addition to weekly commitments at the Cathedral the choirs regularly perform outside of the Cathedral, sing for concerts and in other venues and undertake fundraising activities to boost choir funds. They have executed two 10-12 hour Musicathons, undertaken car washing, sponsored walks, sings, organ playings and book readings all in order to raise awareness for the choir and its work. Future plans include a choir tour to Paris and a summer gala concert. Scholarships for voice training are offered to choristers showing outstanding promise and an organ scholarship is also available. Full details of places, rehearsals and commitment are available on request.
"Elizabeth is a truly inspirational vocal coach who has been providing private singing lessons for our four daughters for just over a year. Three of our girls are also fully active members of Arundel Cathedral Choir, of which Elizabeth is Organist and Master of the Choristers. Our youngest is looking forward to joining the Choir when she comes of age. The confidence, discipline and desire she has instilled into our girls is truly exceptional. Factor into the equation Elizabeth's talents are fully backed by her exceptional and lengthy presentation of formal qualifications. As parents, my wife and I feel awesome confidence in Elizabeth's tutoring and mentoring and feel absolutely blessed to have Elizabeth in our girls lives. Highly recommended."
Mark Bradley