Visiting Choirs
Carlisle Cathedral welcomes visits from outside choirs. Choirs must be able to sing psalms, responses, settings of the canticles and anthems at Evensong, and music for the Eucharist if singing on a Sunday.
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth”
Opportunities for choirs to visit Carlisle Cathedral arise when the Cathedral Choirs are unavailable. During the longer school holidays, visiting choirs usually sing on Saturdays and Sundays, or from Friday to Sunday. During term-time, visiting choirs are welcome on Saturdays.
Singing in Carlisle Cathedral is both challenging and rewarding. If you are interested in bringing a choir to sing, please contact the Music Department Administrator musicadmin@carlislecathedral.org.uk.
Our new information pack for visiting choirs is available to download below, along with an application form and music lists.
Weekday and Saturday Music List
Feedback received from a Visiting Choir in August 2025:
“We were delighted to sing in your Cathedral at the end of August 2025. We loved singing in the building and found you a caring community with a quirky cathedral. We will put you on our list of places to go again.”
Feedback received from a Visiting Choir in May 2025:
“A belated line to say how much we all enjoyed our visit to the Cathedral recently. It was a great delight to return with a full choir after our visit during Covid restrictions. It is a wonderful space in which to sing and all the staff and clergy were extremely helpful and welcoming. We had a great time and Carlisle itself is such a nice town, with good accommodation, nice food and friendly people.
Thank you so much for all your help in connection with our visit, it is much appreciated.”
Feedback received from a Visiting Choir in April 2025:
“York Singers gathered at Carlisle Cathedral for a wonderful weekend of making glorious music in an almost perfect setting for choral music: a beautiful space with an acoustic which gives choral voices clarity and character. We were accompanied by an outstanding organist, Bishop Paul Ferguson. After much help in preparation from your music assistant we were welcomed by John, one of your vergers, (and one of the calmest people I have ever met) who went out of his way to assist us. Our fifteen singers sang the music of many composers including Purcell, Tallis, Goss and SS Wesley. Intense experiences such as these give singers an increased ability to sight read and to blend with other voices. Singing in such a small group is a discipline because every single singer has to be able to hold their part – there can be no ‘passengers’.
Thank you to all those at Carlisle Cathedral who contributed to what was a very happy and productive weekend to the glory of God.”
Revd Canon Tim Robinson (conductor)
Feedback received from a Visiting Choir in June 2024:
“Well, our long-awaited visit to Carlisle Cathedral seems to be over in a trice! What a delight it was!
Our guide had just the right approach, making the tour fascinating yet not too overwhelming with a surfeit of information. We are most grateful to him. The same goes for the Head Verger, James, who was most helpful in all respects.
What wonderful acoustics the cathedral has! Such a joy in which to sing, and the organ too produced a tremendous range of sound, greatly enjoyed and appreciated by our organist.
All of these things take far longer in the planning than in the actual execution and I am most grateful for all the assistance given.
It was such a wonderful opportunity for us all, so thank you for making it possible.”
