St James Grimsby

The Choir School

St. James' School is the Choir School
of Grimsby Parish Church
Click here to go to the School's own website

What does Grimsby Parish Church have in common with King’s College, Cambridge or St. Paul’s Cathedral?

Except for the fact that they are all great Anglican churches, built for the purpose of worshipping God, the choirs of these and many other cathedral and collegiate churches in this country are supported by a choir school.

St. James' Grimsby Parish Church is the only parish church in the country to be supported by a Choir School. St. James' School in Bargate, Grimsby, is an independent day/boarding school catering for children aged 3-18

A great tradition...

...and a unique choir....

Historically, we enjoy and sustain in this country a unique spiritual and cultural heritage in the choral services of our cathedrals, collegiate and parish churches. The services are sung day by day as they have been for centuries.

The Choristers of Grimsby Parish Church are all educated at St. James' School, which was founded for this purpose in 1880. The School is a member of the Choir Schools' Association and the Woodard Corporation. Grimsby Parish Church is unique in being the only parish church in the country to have its own Choir School.
Through a carefully structured curriculum, the boys rehearse daily for up to two hours and sing choral services five times a week. In addition to these regular commitments, they perform at concerts, give broadcasts, make recordings and have undertaken tours both at home and abroad. The choristers are also actively involved in the other school pursuits. Amongst their ranks can be found some of the school's best young sportsmen.
All the choristers are entitled to a choral bursary worth 50% off the fees at St. James' School. In addition, each boy receives tuition on one musical instrument, free of charge, and so has the opportunity to play in instrumental groups and concerts in the school's active music department. Boys are encouraged to take lessons on a second instrument - additionally, singing lessons and theory lessons can be provided.

What makes a good chorister....

What are we looking for in a potential chorister? Boys must have an interest in music and in singing - they must be able to repeat simple rhythms and melodies. As important is a willingness to work hard as part of a team. The most successful choristers have interests in many areas of everyday life cricket, soccer, rugby, pop music, computers etc! We are interested in potential which can be developed.
To be given the opportunity to be part of a great English tradition dating back hundreds of years must surely be the best start to life that any boy could wish for - a professional singer performing to professional standards.

What the choristers gain....

A chorister at Grimsby Parish Church, and at the other great Cathedral and Collegiate churches in this country, receives an unparalleled musical and general education. The boys are treated as young professionals from the moment they join the choir. As important is the sense of responsibility they learn from working as a team, and the confidence they gain from performance. Former choristers go on to be successful in all walks of life - not just in the field of music.

A week in the life of a chorister (This schedule is typical for a term-time week)

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9.15 am Rehearsal in church 11.00 am Choral Eucharist (Boys collected at 12.15 pm) 5.00 pm Rehearsal in church 6.00 pm Choral Evensong (Boys collected at 6.50 pm)	8.00 am Rehearsal in School	8.00 am Rehearsal in School 4.00 pm Tea, bread & jam in School 4.30 pm Rehearsal in church 5.30 pm Choral Evensong (Boys collected at 6.10 pm)