The Choristers of St Andrew’s is a choral programme for young voices striving for excellence in singing. We are inviting children aged 6+ to join our singing school and become a Chorister of St Andrew’s Zurich!
S I N G
- Make music together as a group
- Sing a broad repertoire of various cultures, with emphasis on the cathedral choral tradition
- Rehearsals for probationers and full choristers 12noon to 1pm, held at St Andrew’s during designated weeks in school term time
- Full choristers join the adult choir rehearsal on one Thursday a month (6.30-7.45pm), leading up to prominent services and concerts
L E A R N
- Learn musical skills in an environment that both supports and strives for excellence
- Express yourselves through performance-based activities
- Progress through the highly regarded Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice For Life Training Scheme and Singing Awards focusing on ‘using the voice well, musical skills & understanding, repertoire, belonging to a choir, and choir in context’
G R O W
- Make friends from all over the city
- Meet choristers from other regions of Switzerland and the world
- Develop and use English language skills (rehearsals in English)
- Perform in various contexts as a team with plenty of fun, games and excitement along the way
- Experience the great joy of making music together!
For more information, read our FAQs,
or Learn about how to SIGN UP!
A MESSAGE FOR POTENTIAL CHORISTERS
As a Chorister of St Andrew’s, you’ll learn singing and music skills through a special program called the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice for LifeⓇ Training Scheme. It’s a fun way to get better at using your voice, understanding music, singing with a group, and learning how choirs work. You’ll get to sing at all kinds of events—like services and exciting concerts in grand buildings—while discovering how much fun it is to sing together with others. There will also be fun times outside of singing, like making new friends, and going on trips during the year! As a Chorister, you’ll be part of a team in a Christian environment that helps you learn and grow while having a great time. You’ll build skills for life—like how to sing beautifully, work together, and enjoy music—while aiming to be your very best. Plus, you’ll have loads of fun doing it!
A MESSAGE FOR PARENTS
The Choristers programme will offer your child an excellent musical education, varied activities with new friends, a safe and supportive environment that meets safeguarding standards, and seminal and memorable experiences. In return, we ask that you bring your child to all scheduled activities throughout the term, support and encourage your child at home, and pay the tuiton fee of 135 Fr. per year, in either one payment in Term 1 or three instalments over the year.
MEET HANNAH GRIGG, THE CHORISTERS PROGRAMME LEADER
As a music teacher and choral specialist, this project holds a special place in my heart. My passion for choral singing began in my local church choir and school ensembles in Australia. Joining my brother’s school chapel choir introduced me to the English choral tradition, which inspired me to audition for a national children’s choir, where I formed lifelong friendships and toured extensively.
I later became a choral scholar at Trinity College in Melbourne and sang at Christ Church, South Yarra, while completing a Bachelor of Music and Master of Teaching at the University of Melbourne. After directing a choral programme at a Prep-Year 12 school in Queensland, I moved to Cambridge, UK, for a Master of Choral Studies. There, I held a choral scholarship, sang with St John’s Voices, and tutored the Choristers of Jesus College, while teaching in various school sectors.
Having visited St Andrew’s Zurich frequently, including singing alongside my brother in the choir, and leading the 2023 Junior Voices Summer Sing, I have now moved to Switzerland permanently and I can’t wait to lead The Choristers of St Andrew’s and encourage young people to be involved in the community through singing.
Dates – General information
The Choristers programme runs from September to September each year, and comprises 3 terms following the dates of the Zurich school calendar, in this pattern:
| Term 1 | Start of the school year ➔ Christmas break |
| Term 2 | Beginning of calendar year ➔ Easter break |
| Term 3 | End of Easter break ➔ End of school year |
Term 2 Schedule (2025/26)
We have a busy and exciting term of rehearsals, workshops and services ahead. So we can best support and prepare The Choristers, please remember to communicate any unavoidable absences to choristers@standrewszurich.church as soon as possible.
| Sun 11 January | First rehearsal of the term 11:45am Snack 12noon-1pm Rehearsal | Choristers and Probationers |
| Sun 18 January | Photo Shoot 11:45am Snack 12noon-1pm Rehearsal 1-1:30pm Lunch 1:30-2:30pm Photo Shoot | Choristers and Probationers |
| Sun 25 January | 11:45am Snack 12noon-1pm Rehearsal | Choristers and Probationers |
| Sun 1 February | 12noon-1:00pm Voice for Life Blue Level Workshop (Choristers) 1:00-1:45pm Voice for Life White Level Workshop (Probationers) |
– Half-term Break –
| Sun 1 March | 11:45am Snack 12noon-1pm Rehearsal | Choristers and Probationers |
| Sun 8 March | 11:45am Snack 12noon-1pm Rehearsal | Choristers and Probationers |
| Sun 15 March | Sung Eucharist 9:30am Pre-Service Rehearsal. no rehearsal following the service | Choristers and Probationers |
| Sun 22 March | 12noon-1:00pm Voice for Life Blue Level Workshop (Choristers) 1:00-1:45pm Voice for Life White Level Workshop (Probationers) |
EASTER BREAK
The Choristers return on Sunday 19 April 2026.
FAQs
What is the ‘Choristers of St Andrew’s’?
The Choristers of St Andrew’s is a training programme for young voices striving for excellence in singing.
Part of the rich musical fabric of St Andrew’s Church and grounded in the long history of the English choral tradition, the Choristers will offer children and young people a chance to learn and grow through singing. The Choristers programme is delivered through the highly regarded Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Voice For LifeⓇ Training Scheme and Singing Awards. They perform in a range of services, concerts and broader community events throughout a school year.
What is the age range of a Chorister?
Choristers can be as young as aged 6+, as long as they have the ability to read (English) and perform well in a classroom setting. As a treble voice ensemble, boys are accepted until around the time their voices break, and girls for much longer, up till about age 16! We aim to be flexible, so if you’re unsure, please contact us for advice.
Who is a typical Chorister?
A Chorister of St Andrew’s can be any child who
- thrives in an environment that both supports and strives for excellence
- likes to be challenged by learning new skills and experiences
- enjoys music
- likes to express themselves through performance-based activities
- is keen to make other English-speaking friends
- listens well and enjoys group activities
If you feel your child will enjoy and thrive in a programme that offers them an excellent music education, please do get in touch!
Are there any prerequisites to joining the programme?
Your child may be suitable for the programme if they possess:
- Ability to sing on pitch: Prior experience or training isn’t required, just the ability to sing in tune and show potential.
- Enthusiasm and commitment: We’re looking for children who are eager to grow and ready to take on new challenges.
- Team spirit: Being able to work well with others and enjoy group activities is important.
- Love of learning: Curiosity and a positive attitude towards trying new things go a long way.
- Supportive environment: A family that encourages and supports their involvement.
It doesn’t matter if they have very little experience – we can provide all the training as long as they are keen to give it their best!
I do not attend church. Can my child access the programme?
Absolutely! The Choristers warmly welcomes all children, regardless of their background or church affiliation. While there is no requirement to be connected to St Andrew’s or any other church, please note that your child will be trained in a Christian environment, fostering values and traditions that reflect this foundation. We’re delighted to have children from all walks of life join us!
Signing up
Three steps to joining the Choristers:
- Get in touch to express your interest
- Attend a trial rehearsal
- Take an informal audition
Parents of prospective applicants should contact us in the first instance. We will then be in touch to arrange a suitable date for your child to attend a trial rehearsal, with a discussion and audition to follow. Following these steps, we assess each applicant and either offer a place in the Choristers or provide some next steps for the applicant. Newly admitted Choristers begin as probationers, and following successful completion of the prepatory RSCM Level, they become ‘Full Choristers’.
Audition information: The audition that follows the trial rehearsal will be short, informal, and friendly. We simply want your child to try their best so we can hear what they can do. No preparation is necessary for the audition, but if your child wants to come with a favourite song to sing, they certainly can. We will be listening out for three main things:
– do they sing in the treble range?
– can they sing in tune?
– can they show a basic sense of rhythm?
It won’t be at all daunting, and we’re not looking for a polished performance – just the potential that they’ll really thrive in this environment!
If you feel you’re ready, please get in touch using the following form, or directly via email.
Support the Choristers
Choristers build lifelong skills through an excellent musical education in a Christian setting. Can you support them? Financial gifts can support the programme by helping to fund the summer workshop trip, purchase new music and RSCM materials, medals and music folders. Or help out in more practical ways such as baking rehearsal snacks or transporting resources from the UK. You can make a difference in enhancing the choristers’ experience and the programme’s success! Please speak to Shaun or Hannah, or email choristers@standrewszurich.church
Safeguarding
All clergy and Readers within the Church of England have Safeguarding training and need record check clearance certificates as a normal part of their ministry. Our lay employees and volunteers who work with young people and vulnerable adults also go through the same safeguarding process, so that we can ensure that our congregation is a safe place for young and vulnerable people to visit.
If you have any questions concerning Safeguarding, please visit our Safeguarding webpage, or contact our Safeguarding Officer.