The Choir The 'Schola' was founded in 1996 to give a rigorous choral education to Catholic boys in the maintained sector. It is the only state school in the country that offers such a unique opportunity. The trebles in the choir are joined by 'Choral Scholars': older boys in the school, most of which have been members of the choir prior to their voices breaking. These choral scholars sing alongside several 'lay clerks', professional singers from some of London's greatest musical foundations. This offers a holistic choral educational experience for the boy which is again unique in England. Many of the former members of the Schola are now Choral Scholars at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, or Cathedrals and a good number have gone on to pursue singing professionally. As a Catholic liturgical choir, it can be heard each Saturday evening at the Brompton Oratory Church in Knightsbridge. In addition to their liturgical commitment; concert work, recordings and touring have become a regular feature of the choristers’ routine. Each year it performs at a large number of charitable concerts: in 2007 it helped raise over £120,000 for charity. The Schola has quickly established itself as a leading boys’ choir, singing a large and varied repertory, encompassing sacred and secular works from early to contemporary music. It performs regularly with the major London orchestras and national opera companies, has made numerous film soundtracks, (the boys are voices behind the double platinum award winning soundtracks of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), and provides boys for recordings of CDs, television and radio programmes. The group has also toured abroad, performing in the USA, Italy, Germany and France. In 2007 the choir visited Rome on three occasions, culminating in performing as the only choir in the Vatican's contribution to the 'Live Earth' concerts, direct from the Pope's Cathedral. Staff: Lee Ward Musical Director Aidan Coburn Assistant Director David Knight Choral Scholar vocal teacher Clare Dawson Chorister vocal teacher Helen Cocks Music Administrator