COMPULSORY boarding will no longer be a requirement for members of the boys’ choir of Canterbury Cathedral, and the girls’ and boys’ choirs will sing an equal number of services, the chapter has announced as part of its equality and inclusion plans.

A press release on Monday said that, from September, boy choristers (aged 8-13) and girl choristers (aged 12-18) will each sing three services a week, and will be able to attend any local school, “giving families both flexibility and choice”. Currently, the girls’ choir sing evensong on Wednesday, and “at least one service” at the weekend, usually alongside the lay clerks of the cathedral choir.

The cathedral will continue to support financially all choristers currently studying at St Edmund’s School on a full choral scholarship until their tenure with the choir has finished, the announcement added.

The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Dr David Monteith, said: “Music is an integral part of worship in which the Cathedral takes great pride. . . We believe that this announcement helps children across the area benefit from the life-changing experience that singing in a cathedral choir offers whilst ensuring the continuation of the choir for generations to come.

“We are extremely grateful for the support and contribution St Edmund’s School have made during the past 50 years of our close partnership. We extend our sincere thanks to them and look forward to working alongside them in the years to come.”

The Director of Music at Canterbury Cathedral, David Newsholme, said: “We share the Cathedral Music Trust’s commitment to enabling children from a diverse range of backgrounds to experience the many benefits that come from being a chorister. We believe that this is the way to secure the future of the choir, and we are excited to be moving forwards into this new era building on the strengths of our two well-established and respected choirs.”

Later on Monday, a statement from the Board of Governors of St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, expressed “great sadness” at the decision to serve notice on the contract, which they said they had only been informed of on Friday.

“The School, which has worked in strategic partnership with the Cathedral to educate its choristers since 1972, will continue to ensure the wellbeing and continuity of education for our current and incoming choristers and will provide support for the affected families.”