New Cathedral Partnership for Trent College and The Elms

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 11th of March 2013

Trent College and The Elms have secured a new partnership with Derby Cathedral paving the way for more young singers to flourish as part of the Cathedral's nationally-renowned choir.
The new partnership aims to strengthen both the Cathedral and the schools' recruitment of talented choristers and maintain and develop their choral traditions.
Pupils who successfully become choristers will benefit from the excellent choral traditions and tuition from Derby Cathedral while the Cathedral benefits from recruiting choristers who are already enjoying a very strong musical education our schools.
The ultimate aim of the partnership is for us to attain formal Choir School status, recognised by the Choir Schools' Association (CSA), whereby no less than 50 percent of the Cathedral choristers would be students at The Elms and Trent College.
Derby Cathedral, which boasts an excellent reputation for choral music and has well established boys' and girls' choirs, will continue the recruitment of children into its choirs from Derby and surrounding areas too.
Mr Morrow explains: 'Trent College and The Elms enjoy an excellent reputation for instrumental music and singing, with children in Year 3 beginning to learn orchestral musical instruments and participating in ensembles. This new partnership will enrich Chapel life at Trent College and The Elms by widening pupils' access to a first-class musical education through the schools' association with Derby Cathedral.'
The Very Revd Dr John Davies, Dean of Derby, added: 'Choristers, Cathedral music and the life of the schools will all be enhanced by this new development. Benefits of membership are numerous, with probably the best being a complete musical and religious education and the chance to be a member of a professional organisation that performs to the highest professional standards. We are delighted to enter into this new and creative relationship.'
As well as Cathedral worship at Derby, choristers at our schools also have the opportunities to perform elsewhere in Britain and internationally, plus contribute to recordings and broadcasts for the BBC. This year, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Benjamin Britten, the Cathedral will be performing his music in services and concerts.
Elms pupils, brothers Alex and Owen Archer-Dyer and William McKenzie-Howes are already Derby Cathedral choristers as well as being part of The Elms choir.
Alex, who is also studying the bassoon at The Elms, is a member of the school swing band and bassoon ensemble and is taking piano lessons externally, said: 'I joined the Derby Cathedral Choir because you get the opportunity to travel to Italy, Ireland and France and we're soon visiting Westminster Abbey. It's a great way to make friends. I've improved as a singer as I've been lucky enough to receive singing lessons where I've learnt to read music, sight read and we can progress through the different music tests.'