The history of the choir
The Cornwall County Junior Choir was established in January 2001, as part of a major new initiative to boost singing in Cornish Primary Schools. It has been awarded a grant from the National Foundation for Youth Music as part of the foundation’s Singing Challenge programme. The choir stems from a partnership between Truro Cathedral and the Cornwall Music Service Department and comprises approximately 50 children from all over Cornwall.

The Choir was estab;lished by two conductors, Mr Christopher Gray, the assistant organist at Truro Cathedral and Mr. Nigel Hayward who is Musical Director of The Hellens Singers, (a recently established girl’s choir in Hereford). The differing approach to music and teaching employed by this talented pair ensured that the youngsters are offered the best possible opportunity to develop their singing skills. Angela Renshaw has recently taken over from Mr Gray, and brings plenty of choral experience with her. She works at Truro School Prep in charge of music as well as for the Cornwall Music Service / Truro Cathedral Outreach programme involving Primary and Secondary schools. She also directs the newly founded Cornwall Boys Choir and has recently been appointed Director of the Holman Climax Male Voice Choir.

The choir meets for rehearsal on Saturday mornings during term time in the Cathedral from10am until 11.30am, and usually takes place in the Crypt. The third rehearsal session of each term is held as a “taster session”, so that any youngster (between the ages of 6 and 14) with interest in singing may come along and experience what is on offer. At the end of the session each newcomer receives an information pack about the choir along with a registration form to be completed and returned should they want to join.

There are two concerts given by the choir in each academic term, one is a joint concert in conjunction with local primary schools from throughout Cornwall, which always takes place in the Cathedral. The type and location of venue for each term’s main Concert is varied as much as possible.

Our first ‘solo’ concert took place in St Germans shortly before Christmas 2001 and it was a great success. Since then we have performed with Truromance at the Cathedral, St Mary’s Church in Penzance, two Christmas concerts at Truro Methodist Church, exciting spring concerts at The Tate St Ives in 2003 and 2007, a summer concert in Carnglaze Slate Caverns at St Neot and Christmas concerts at St Petroc’s Church.

In 2004 the choir took part in the Cornish Voices concert held in the Hall for Cornwall, performed at St Michaels Church Newquay at Easter with the Cornish Youth Wind Orchestra and sung at Boconnoc in July.

In summer 2005 the Choir performed at Gwennap Pit was a fantastic experience- the rain held off and the sun put in a brief appearance! We are hoping that the weather will again be kind for next summer’s concert at the Pit.

2006 was an exciting year. On 18th March we performed at Exeter Cathedral, this was a joint concert with Mr Hayward’s other choir The Hellens singers from Hereford, this was a huge success. Cornwall Junior choir also performed with Gloucester Junior Choir on Sunday 4th June at the Cathedral, and held a concert at the All Saints Church in Marazion in July. At Christmas we returned for the third time to Kenwyn Church for our Christmas concert as we will do this year on Saturday December 8th.

2007 started off spectacularly, with the Junior Choir celebrating its sixth Birthday with a concert in February, at the Eden Project. This coincided with the ‘Time of giving’ festivities, so ice skating was also on the agenda! The sun shone on us again as we relaxed on the beach prior to our Easter concert at Tate St Ives. Our summer concert was held at Helston Methodist Church in aid of Christian Aid, and was very well received.

Everyone is very excited about the planned trip to Scilly this term, and the 11th of October when the youngsters from Scilly will make a return visit. They are staying overnight which means that the youngsters will be able to take part in the evening’s Schools Concert.

Once again we will be at Kenwyn for the Christmas concert, which is always a lovely evening.

2008 is promising to be another exciting year for the choir, having started the year with a return to The Eden Project, and a concert in Threemilestone. We are looking forward to taking part in a concert in Gloucester Cathedral and a return to Gwennap Pit.