Bradford Cathedral Choir Receives Multi-Year Grant

New funding aims to support choir’s professional development

Bradford Cathedral has been awarded a multi-year grant totalling £29,550 from the national charity Cathedral Music Trust (CMT). The funding is intended to support the Cathedral’s Music Department, specifically to maintain the employment of the choir’s three professional Lay Clerks.

Purpose of the grant

The grant will cover the salaries of the Lay Clerks, whose roles are described as essential in sustaining the choir’s musical standards and aiding its ongoing development. The Lay Clerks provide professional expertise, including coaching, mentoring, and modelling for the choir members.

Statements from Cathedral officials

• The Dean of Bradford Cathedral expressed satisfaction with the grant, noting that CMT’s support has helped the choir grow and develop. He anticipates continued progress with the Lay Clerks’ involvement over the next two years.
• Geoffrey Woollatt, Organist and Director of Music, highlighted that the previous two-year grant from CMT allowed the employment of the Lay Clerks during the busy year of Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025. During that time, the choir performed and recorded with the Black Dyke Band and appeared in broadcasts such as the BBC’s Christmas Service and Songs of Praise.
• Woollatt added that the new grant will enable consistent professional input, expand the choir’s repertoire, and provide opportunities for choristers to engage with more challenging music, thereby supporting the choir’s future development.

Upcoming event

Bradford Cathedral plans to mark the award of this grant and the continued growth of its choir with an Evensong service on Sunday 11 October. Members of the public are invited to attend.