Distanced merrily on high? Choir climbs more than 100ft to rehearse festive singing duties on roof of Ely Cathedral
- Sixteen choristers aged 10 to 16 climbed onto the roof of Ely Cathedral to sing
- The girls scaled more than 100ft above Cambridgeshire Fens to rehearse
- They will perform at socially-distanced and live-streamed services at Christmas
Every choir can hit a few high notes – but none so high as these girls singing on the roof of Ely Cathedral yesterday.
Sixteen choristers aged ten to 16 climbed more than 100ft above the surrounding Cambridgeshire Fens to the base of the Gothic building’s lantern tower to rehearse for their festive duties.
The acclaimed choir consists of boarding pupils from the city’s King’s School, where they live and work together in a bubble so they can sing through the pandemic.
Sixteen choristers aged ten to 16 climbed more than 100ft above the surrounding Cambridgeshire Fens to the base of the Gothic building’s lantern tower to rehearse for their festive duties
Founded in 2006 – more than 1,000 years after King’s Ely boys’ choir – the girls will perform at socially-distanced and ticketed services at the Norman cathedral, which will also be live-streamed online.
Director Sarah MacDonald said: ‘We are really looking forward to singing at the cathedral this Christmas.
‘It will be lovely to spread a little joy in what has been a difficult year for so many of us.’
Since their foundation the girls have made six critically acclaimed CDs and have sung on television and on BBC Radio 3, most recently on Armistice Day 2020, when they broadcast Evensong live from the Cathedral as part of the BBC’s marking of 100 years since the burial of the unknown soldier.
The acclaimed choir consists of boarding pupils from the city’s King’s School, where they live and work together in a bubble so they can sing through the pandemic