Landmark as first woman in 1,000 years joins St Paul’s Cathedral choir
ST PAUL’S Cathedral is to welcome a female chorister for the first time in its 1,000-year history.
Carris Jones, 35, a Royal Academy of Music alumnus from south London, will join the cathedral choir in September following the birth of her second child in May.
St Paul’s director of music Andrew Carwood said he was “delighted” Ms Jones would be joining the choir, and heralded the appointment by “unanimous decision”.
Ms Jones, who will be singing alto, said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as a vicar choral at St Paul’s Cathedral, and feel incredibly lucky to join a group of such friendly and talented musicians.
“I have long admired the cathedral as an organisation that manages to combine a venerable historical tradition with a vital place in 21st century London life, and am honoured to become a part of it.”
The Cathedral Choir consists of 26 boy treble choristers, eight probationers and 12 vicars choral, professional adult singers who take the alto, tenor and bass parts.
Ms Jones, who has been singing professionally for eight years, last week told the BBC her appointment to the choir at St Paul’s represented the realisation of a “long-held ambition”, which she had previously thought impossible.
She said: “When I first moved to London as a singer there was no inkling women would ever be considered for adult positions in the choir. I didn’t think it was possible. “It feels wonderful.” Mr Carwood was appointed as Director of Music in 2007, the first non-organist to hold the post since the 12th century.
I am thrilled to be appointed as a vicar choral at St Paul’s Cathedral. Carris Jones, who is joining the choir of St Paul’s Cathedral