BOYS WHO LOVE TO SING
Ali Dugdale finds out why being a quirister at Winchester College is so special
EDUCATION
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What we are looking for , above all else , is a boy who loves to sing .” You might recognise the type of boy Howard Ionascu , director of chapel music at Winchester College , is describing : a boy who constantly sings or hums to himself , picks up a tune really quickly and sings in tune – which not everyone can do . “ He probably won ’ t sing if you ask him to ,” Howard says . “ That would be far too embarrassing ! But he will sing when he is lost in the moment and not really aware that he is doing it – because singing is the most natural , instinctive thing for him to do , and it makes him happy .
Howard directs 16 boys just like that in the chapel choir at Winchester College , the historic , renowned independent school . They are called quiristers and are aged between nine and 13 – and they all have a passion for singing .
They are into other things too , of course – sport , drama , table tennis , chess , art , Warhammer , reading and playing with their friends – the usual stuff that children do . Importantly , though , they are professional singers : they receive a choral scholarship from Winchester College and sing in their world-class , unique chapel choir , and they have a boarding place at The Pilgrims ’ School , rated as one of the top prep schools in the country . All quiristers benefit from significantly reduced fees and there are means-tested bursaries to reduce them even further – potentially by 100 per cent .
In addition to singing in the choir , quiristers have singing lessons with one of the top voice coaches in the country . They also learn to read and write music and to play the piano and another instrument . “ These are the skills that transform them from being solely a singer into a talented musician .” Howard says . It ’ s all fitted carefully around the school day , so they can still do pretty much the same things as their Pilgrims ’ friends – except for when they are on tour or recording a CD or have a live broadcast or a special concert .
“ These opportunities are what make being a ‘ q ’ such a rich experience ,” Howard says , “ as well as being part of a centuries-old choral tradition of singing in Winchester College ’ s 14th-century chapel .”
Howard lists recent highlights that the boys have enjoyed : a recording at Abbey Road Studios , performing a sell-out concert in the Royal Festival Hall and another in Birmingham Symphony Hall , recording a CD with the London Mozart Players , performing with the English Chamber Orchestra , singing in a service attended by high-profile politicians . They ’ ve also been on tour in Paris , giving three concerts – and also visiting all the sights , including the massive Lego shop on the Champs Elysées .
“ It ’ s important to bear in mind that singing at this highest level only comes with training ,” Howard continues , “ We don ’ t expect boys to be this good when they join . It starts with a very casual chat with me , any time of the year , when a boy is aged seven upwards . The cut-off is usually 10 years old . We do a few singing games to find out the potential of their voice . Our Be a Quirister open day is a great opportunity to find out what it would be like to join us . All boys are welcome – but especially those who love to sing !”
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