It took a millennium, but St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir in London has hired a woman as a full member. (Non-sopranos may feel a certain sense of musical justice.)
The release, published on St. Paul’s website:
St Paul’s Cathedral has appointed a woman for the first time as a full adult member of its Cathedral Choir.
Carris Jones from south London will be the new Alto Vicar Choral.
She is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music, and a member of the Choir of the London Oratory.
Carris has a wide-ranging career, including solo roles in oratorio and opera, as well as performing with groups such as Stile Antico, the Gabrieli Consort and Tenebrae.
She is expecting her second child at the beginning of May and will start at St Paul’s on 1st September 2017.
St Paul’s Director of Music Andrew Carwood said: ‘We are delighted that Carris is joining the Choir. The final round of auditions was of a very high standard and her appointment was a unanimous decision.’
Carris said: ’I am thrilled to be appointed as a Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral, and feel incredibly lucky to join a group of such friendly and talented musicians.
‘I have long admired the cathedral as an organisation that manages to combine a venerable historical tradition with a vital place in 21st century London life, and am honoured to become a part of it.’
The Cathedral Choir currently consists of 26 boy treble Choristers, eight probationers and 12 Vicars Choral – the professional adult singers who take the alto, tenor and bass parts.
For further information or to request an interview, contact Karen Hart khart@stpaulscathedral.org.uk 020 7246 8321.
Image from the St. Paul’s Cathedral Facebook page, shared by the Cathedral Choir Facebook page