Join the RSCM America National Choir at Canterbury Cathedral

While the gifted children and adults who attend our four popular RSCM America courses make beautiful music this summer, members of the RSCM America National Choir will be hard at work on the repertoire they’ll present during a week-long residency at Canterbury Cathedral from December 30 of this year to January 4, 2026 under the leadership of Robert Nicholls.

This will be the fourth international tour for the group following memorable appearances at Westminster Abbey, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and St. Alban’s and Salisbury Cathedrals at the end of 2023.  The national choir’s decade of excellence has also included domestic tours to Washington D.C., San Francisco, Portland OR and Victoria, British Columbia led by its founder Andrew Walker, followed by its last director Bruce Neswick.

The national choir is officially the adult course within RSCM America’s educational curriculum but is largely unknown to the many talented choir directors, organists, choristers and other gifted singers who support and underpin our summer courses. Given the rich resource of musical experience and talent among these adults, the national choir is eager to invite those who may be interested to share the excitement, camaraderie and joy of singing at the highest level of excellence possible in some of the world’s most inspiring worship spaces.

The fundamental difference between the National Choir and the summer courses is that each member is responsible for learning the repertoire to performance level prior to meeting the others at the tour destination, where we typically have just a few hours of rehearsal time for final polishing before our first appearance.  It’s an exciting challenge but the adults find that their shared love of church music leads to instant bonding and a determination to make the most uplifting sound possible, both technically and spiritually. 

If you’re interested in being a part of it, you are invited to join the roster of singers from across the U.S. and Canada who love and learn from this unique choral experience.  You’ll be asked to submit a simple online audition that Robert will curate and once you’re accepted, you’ll be sent all of the necessary details for signing up for the tour. 

Please note that you must be 21 or older to participate and must commit to “note-perfect” knowledge of the music, a list of which you’ll receive at least eight to 10 weeks before the trip.  Music packets can be ordered from Cliff Hill.  The Canterbury tour has a reduced group rate at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel although you’re free to make other accommodation arrangements.  All choristers are responsible for their travel and expenses during the trip and each member is also asked to pay a reasonable participation fee that goes toward air fare and accommodation for the director and organist. 

In the past, choir members have brought along family and friends to the venues and made many beautiful memories.  There is always time for local sightseeing and opportunities to be together socially, particularly at a fun-filled closing dinner in a local pub.  

The choir would welcome your application so please send a short note to rscmanc@gmail.com if you’d like to be a part of the experience.  The steering committee will follow up with all of the information you need to make the most of this memorable experience.

More information about the RSCM America National Choir can be found at www.rscmamerica.org/national-choir.