Mixed-gender choir will perform at Christmas services in London cathedral for first time in its 900-year history. Girls will form part of the choir performing at the Christmas Day service at St Paul’s Cathedral for the first time in its 900-year history on Wednesday.
The choir, which is made up of adult and child choristers, will perform on Christmas Day under the dome of the cathedral in central London. Choir rehearsals took place on Monday. Lila, 11 and Lois, 10, were the first two girls to become full choristers in June. Before becoming full members of the choir, the pair had to pass their probation and undergo specialist training.
At the time, Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, said: “It is a great joy to welcome Lila and Lois into the cathedral community. It was profoundly moving to see the culmination of their hard work, and God-given gifts on show, at the service on Sunday evening. 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 first announced that girls would be admitted into its internationally renowned choir in 2022. Salisbury was the first Anglican cathedral in England to permanently offer girls places in its choir, 33 years ago. Many others, including York Minster, Durham and Exeter, followed suit.
