Project Phoenix, Ripon Cathedral’s initiative to recruit new boys and girls into its choir after numbers plunged following the COVID pandemic, has taken flight.

The recruitment drive followed a period of restrictions and lockdowns which meant that rehearsals went on-line and visiting schools to recruit was impossible.

There are now 25 girls and the number of boys has risen sharply to 19, of whom just four were in the much-reduced boys’ choir, which was forced to fold in February when boys and girls began to sing services together.

The newly formed boys’ and girls’ choirs were showcased throughout Advent and Christmas, coming together to help lead worship at major services; a number of these were attended by some 1,200 people, a huge step for many of the children who have been singing for less than four months.

Breathing new life into the cathedral’s choral tradition is Director of Music, Dr Ronny Krippner, who came to Ripon Cathedral in January. Dr Krippner visited some 20 schools in the area, speaking at assemblies and holding auditions for children who expressed an interest in joining the choir.

That interest had to be supported by a commitment from parents, something that is well understood by Cathy Kitchingman whose son James joined the choir at the age of eight. Cathy remembers: “It requires dedication from everyone, parents included, and then music becomes part of you and your family. It lifts you all to another place.”

It also lifted James to another place – he is now at Cambridge University studying music, evidence of the potential long-term benefits of joining the choir.

Dr Krippner, who is originally from Bavaria, sees other positives in the story of the choir’s rebirth: “The closure of the choir school was not entirely negative as it means that the choir can now be accessed by children whose families may not have been able to pay the school fees, so we are definitely more inclusive.

“Also, being a chorister is so much more than singing, it’s about achieving extraordinary things. It’s about friendships and excellence in what you do. So becoming a chorister at Ripon Cathedral really is something special,” he added.

Speaking at the start of Advent, the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson DL, launched phase two of Project Phoenix, an appeal to raise funds to sustain the cathedral’s choral tradition, which dates back to the seventh century.

He said: “Rejuvenating the choir has been a top priority for everyone involved. We’re excited about what the future holds, not just for the new choristers, who are receiving a first-class musical education at no cost to their parents, but also for music here, which plays such a vital part in the life of the cathedral.”

To find out more about how to support the choir and the music appeal, visit Home | Ripon Cathedral or email development@riponcathedral.org.uk

To find out more about becoming a chorister  please visit www.riponcathedral.org.uk/music