ARE you a girl in Year 6 or 7 who would like to sing with Winchester Cathedral Girls Choir for an afternoon?

A Girls Choir Open Afternoon will take place on Saturday, February 1. As well as doing some singing, some of it with the current girl choristers, you will have a chance to discover the Cathedral and find out what it is like to be a girl chorister.

The cathedral welcomes enquiries from girls all the year round, but the formal Girls Chorister Auditions to join the choir from September 2014 will be held on March 8 for girls in Years 7 and 8 living in the Winchester area.

The Winchester Cathedral Girls’ Choir has been running now for over 12 years. Consisting of over 20 girls, normally aged 11 to 17 and living in the area, they normally sing one service a week on a Sunday and rehearse on Wednesdays and Fridays during school term times.

They have toured, broadcast and recorded and are also involved in additional services at other times. They receive the highest standards of musical education in the choir and through individual singing coaching; they also receive assistance towards learning another musical instrument.

Find out more from Sue Armstrong on 01962 857 219 or email sue.armstrong@ Winchester-cathedral.org.uk. 

*Winchester Cathedral will open its doors to the public at the Open Evening on Tuesday, January 29, welcoming everyone to find out what goes on behind-the-scenes.

With the medieval nave clear of chairs, there will be a rare opportunity to see the wonderful architecture of the Cathedral as its builders intended it, but in the very special atmosphere of evening light.

The event starts with Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir at 5.30pm and activities and displays run from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.

Come and see how its ancient manuscripts are restored, try your hand at calligraphy, candle-carving, and see the 12th century Winchester Bible, with its wonderful hand painted illuminations; truly a treasure within a treasure.

You may be someone who hears the Cathedral bells every week, but have you ever seen them and the upper areas of the Cathedral – if not, take a bellringing chamber tour and even ring a miniature version of them yourself?

Another popular activity is the mini-belfry which gives budding campanologists the chance to try out their arms at bell ringing.

Meet the stonemasonry team who continue a centuries-old tradition, and those who look after the vestments and adorn the Cathedral for services through the year.

There are also activities for Children, calligraphy, displays from the Friends of the Cathedral, Music department, the Head Gardener, and other groups within the organization who make this great church tick.

Entry is free. Find out more online at winchester-cathedral.org.uk.