Boy, 10, only northerner chosen for famous choir

A 10-year-old boy from Yorkshire has become the only child from the north of England to join the world famous choir of Westminster Abbey this year.

Henry Burr’s mother, Gemma Ryder-Burr, from Ripon, said she had decided to send a video of him singing to the abbey’s Master of Choristers “on an impulse” and he was so impressed that Henry was immediately invited to audition.

Andrew Nethsingha, organist and Master of the Choristers, said as well as the audition, Henry gave an “excellent” interview with the headteacher of the boarding school attached to the abbey.

Mrs Ryder-Burr said: “I don’t think it has hit Henry how momentous this is for him and the opportunities it will bring.”

The choir, comprising of 30 choristers and 12 adult singers, performs at royal, state and national occasions.

As well as taking part in big events, the choristers also sing evensong every night at Westminster Abbey and their performances are broadcast all over the world.

After the initial audition, Henry had to take tests in English and maths, have a day of lessons at the abbey’s school and stay overnight to experience chorister life.

Mrs Ryder-Burr said: “It’s wonderful that somebody representing Yorkshire is now going to be singing in the abbey.

“I hope it shows it is possible for children who live a bit further away from London and who thought that something like this wasn’t available to them or something they could aspire to.”

The boys in the choir are aged between eight and 13, and the school attached to the abbey is the only Anglican school in the world which solely educates choristers.

While the school does not disclose how many boys audition every year, it said the process was “highly competitive”, with “only a few” choristers being accepted.

Mr Nethsingha said pupils were supported to learn two musical instruments in addition to their singing, and bursaries of up to 100% of fees were available to help singers from all backgrounds.

Mrs Ryder-Burr, who has three other sons, said Henry had always been “flamboyant” and had showed promise as a singer since the age of three.

He joined Ripon Cathedral Choir when he was seven and “loved every aspect of it”, she said.

“It wasn’t just the music, it was the history of the pieces of music, the composers who had written them – even down to where the composers lived and what country they were from”, Mrs Ryder-Burr explained.

She also said that choral music had increased Henry’s interest in English, history, geography and “massively improved” his reading.

“The house is quiet without Henry – we miss his singing,” she added.

“But this is going to open up so many doors for him in the future.”

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