There aren't many churches where the mix of music is as diverse and inclusive as you'll find at Salford Cathedral.

Our music making reflects the range and quality of the best of Catholic liturgical music, ranging from the gems of the choral repertoire to contemporary music written with the participation of the assembly in mind.

Throughout the year you'll hear us sing plainchant and polyphony, including choral motets from Lassus to Tavener, and also world music from many continents and cultures, and even occasionally the sounds of Gospel and jazz.

But above all at St John's you'll hear the people sing! Our sung liturgical celebrations always feature music that gives the gathered assembly the 'full, conscious and active' role foreseen by the bishops at the Second Vatican Council. We never forget that the choir's primary role is to lead the assembly in song, in prayer.

The Choir

The choir consists of around twenty-four men and women singers. We sing each week at the 11.00 am Sunday Mass at the Cathedral, as well as on other important days in the liturgical calendar, such as Christmas and the Paschal Triduum. We occasionally sing for other events too, such as ordinations in the Cathedral, and for concerts such as the annual Celebration of Christmas in aid of Age Concern. In recent years the choir has appeared many times in television broadcasts, including Songs of Praise, Morning Worship and My Favourite Hymns. A highlight of 2008 was our appearance at the Bridgewater Hall, for the Centenary Mass of the Catenian Association.

Joining the Choir

The choir has vacancies for keen and committed singers, both men and women. You don't need a trained voice, but you need to be able to read music and to have some experience of choral singing.We rehearse on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9.45 pm in Cathedral House from September to July, and members are normally expected to attend at least two-thirds of rehearsals. On Sundays we meet for a run-through at 9.45 am, before singing at the 11.00 Mass.If you are interested in joining the choir, please get in touch with Martin Barry, or come and talk to us after Mass one Sunday, over coffee in the Cathedral cloister.

Choral Scholarships

The Cathedral Choir runs a choral scholarships scheme, open to those aged sixteen and over in full-time education. Six places are available each year, and are awarded by competitive (but friendly) audition. The amount of the scholarship is up to £1200 per year, depending how frequently you are able to attend; choral scholars are expected to be available during all of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday (1st-7th April 2012). For 2011-12 we expect to be able to award scholarships in all voices (SATB) and we're especially on the lookout for sopranos. If you have a good (choir-friendly!) singing voice and some sight-reading, and musically speaking you're up for anything, a choral scholarship at Salford Cathedral could be just the thing for you.

For further information, and to apply for a place, please download the application form (MS Word), fill it in and send it by e-mail to the choirmaster This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .