FOR the first time in almost thirty years, three Christ Church Cathedral School (CCCS) choirs will sing simultaneously in three Oxford college chapels tonight.

Twelve CCCS boys who are newly appointed as choristers at Pembroke College, will sing music by Elgar and Walmisley at their inaugural evensong at the college.

Pembroke's recruited trebles will sing alongside the adult members of their chapel choir, marking a historic moment.

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Sophie Biddell, director of music at CCCS, said: "We could not be more delighted that there is such an appetite for singing among our pupils that – despite our small size – we now field three boys’ choirs: the Cathedral choristers, the trebles who sing at Worcester College, and now the choristers at Pembroke.

"It is vital that boys start building their musical skills at a young age, as keen trebles tend to grow into the adult basses, tenors and countertenors on whom so much of the British choral tradition depends.

"We are incredibly proud that the immense enthusiasm of the new Pembroke choristers will play a part in supporting this vibrant tradition well into the future."

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Richard Murray, headmaster of Christ Church Cathedral School, said: "It is lovely for our boys to be singing in the closest college chapel to our school and I look forward to developing a relationship with Pembroke, our nearest neighbours, on the other side of Brewer Street.

"We recently had our first Exeter chorister reunion 30 years after our trebles stopped singing at the college. It was evident to me the lifelong effect that the experience had had on these former choristers. I am delighted that a new generation of college boy choristers are now in existence."