St Margaret's Choristers

St Margaret’s Choristers is our choir for girls aged 11-17. Founded in 2023, the choir continues St Margaret’s rich tradition of liturgical music, dating back to the present building’s consecration in 1523, and plays an important role in the wider musical life of the Abbey

About the choir

There are 20 full choristers and 4 junior choristers in the choir. Girls enter the choir at the start of Year 7 and spend a year as junior choristers before progressing to the full choir at the start of Year 8. They then spend 5 years in the choir and leave at the end of Year 12.

The choristers come together at St Margaret’s three times a week to rehearse and sing at services in St Margaret’s and the Abbey. The choir sings the majority of its services with the professional lower voices of the St Margaret’s Consort, but also sings as an ensemble in its own right. It is directed by Greg Morris, the Director of Music at St Margaret’s Church.

Join the choir

Join the choir

We are looking for girls with enthusiasm and musical potential who will give a strong commitment to the weekly schedule. The choir is open to girls from any school or background, and no previous experience of singing in a choir is necessary.

How to apply

We recruit four new Junior Choristers each year (when girls are in Year 6) to join from the following September.

We will upload the application form once applications open in early March. We invite applicants to audition, initially to group auditions end of April, and then a shortlist of individual auditions in May.

For more information about applying to join in September 2026, please view our St Margaret's Choristers page

St Margaret's Choristers: roles and scholarships

Roles and duties

The Choristers sing weekly for the Sunday evening service in St Margaret’s Church, as well as regular Wednesday Evensong services in the Abbey.

There are a small number of additional services such as at Christmas and Easter, as well occasional concerts and other events. In August 2026 the choir is going on its first tour, visiting Paris.

Scholarship

On joining the full choir in Year 8, each chorister will receive a scholarship of £2,500 per annum:
  • £1,500 will be paid each year
  • the remaining £1,000 will be paid as a lump sum when a chorister leaves the choir at the end of Year 12. 
Free singing lessons (1:1 or 1:2) are provided during rehearsals, and choristers will have the opportunity to attend music theory classes after weekday rehearsals.

Recruitment events

Photograph focusing on one side of St Margaret's Choristers, wearing red robes, singing in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey

St Margaret's Chorister Experience Day

Sunday, 1 March from 2:50pm-4:30pm.

Find out more
St Margaret's Chorister Experience Day

St Margaret's Chorister Experience Day

Sunday, 8 March from 2:50pm-4:30pm.

Find out more

In their own words

Hear from some of the current St Margaret's Choristers about their achievements, musicality and experiences.

Photograph of St Margaret's Choristers rehearsing, wearing red robes in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, looking from altar down the church

Our achievements

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Close-up photograph of a music score and a choristers hand holding a pencil

Our musicality

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Photograph focusing on one side of St Margaret's Choristers, wearing red robes, singing in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey

Our experiences

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Further information

While we only regularly recruit girls for Year 7 entry, it is possible that vacancies will arise occasionally in older year groups. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list to be told about such vacancies, please email the Music Coordinator.

Contact us

Patrons

The choir is supported by patrons from across the worlds of public service and the arts. They are:
  • Baroness (Floella) Benjamin
  • Baroness (Sue) Carr, Lady Chief Justice
  • Broadcaster Katie Derham
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons
  • Baroness (Genista) McIntosh, Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords 

Safeguarding

We are dedicated to safeguarding children and adults at risk so they can visit, worship and grow safely in Christ. St Margaret’s Choristers and all its staff and volunteers will adhere to the safeguarding policy for Westminster Abbey and work together to keep each other safe.

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