Girls to Perform in St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir for the First Time in 900 Years

 

For the first time in its 900-year history, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London will feature girls in its choir during the Christmas Day service. The choir, which includes both adults and children, will perform under the grand 365-foot dome of the iconic cathedral on Wednesday.

This historic moment marks a significant change in the cathedral’s choir tradition. In June 2023, Lila, 11, and Lois, 10, became the first girls to join the St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir after passing a rigorous probation period and undergoing specialized training.

The Right Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, celebrated the achievement, saying, “It is a great joy to welcome Lila and Lois into the cathedral community. I hope that Lila and Lois can be an inspiration to other young girls as to what can be achieved in what is a huge milestone in St. Paul’s 900-year history.”

The cathedral had previously announced in 2022 that girls would be allowed to join its choir, following the lead of other prominent cathedrals such as Salisbury, York Minster, and Durham. The change reflects a broader movement toward gender inclusivity within the cathedral’s musical traditions.

St. Paul’s Choir, which has roots tracing back to the 12th century, has long been recognized for its exceptional quality. In 2017, the first female chorister, Carris Jones, joined as a full-time member. Jones, a Cambridge history graduate and former freelance singer, expressed her excitement at the time, calling her position a milestone not only for her but also for her female colleagues in the music industry.

The cathedral’s announcement to allow girls to join the choir was followed by practical steps to ensure gender equality, working closely with St. Paul’s Cathedral School to provide an equal opportunity for both girl and boy choristers. Female choristers are now permanent members of the choir, playing equal roles in services and national events.

The performance on Christmas Day marks a new era for the cathedral’s choir, as it continues to evolve while preserving its long-standing traditions.