Westminster Abbey Choir School
Encyclopedia
Westminster Abbey Choir School (W.A.C.S.) is a British boarding preparatory school
and the only school in the United Kingdom
exclusively for the education of boy choristers. It is located in Dean's Yard
, by Westminster Abbey
. It educates 34 boys currently, aged 8–13 who sing in the Choir of Westminster Abbey which takes part in state and national occasions as well as singing evensong everyday (except Wednesday) and gives concert performances around the world. Its most recent tour was to Moscow, singing in the International House of Music there. Other tours included trips to Australia, America, and Hong Kong.
The Headmaster is Jonathan Milton, former Headmaster of The Abbey School, Tewkesbury
. The Organist and Master of the Choristers is James O'Donnell
, former Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral
. There is also a school newspaper/board called Wacs lyrical
.
, Dean of Westminster and former Chief Education Officer for the Church of England
.
in November 2006. The inspection report stated that the school provides an outstanding education.
In 2009 it was decided to no longer have the positions of Head Chorister and Second Chorister so that the choir would be like other choirs.
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
and the only school in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
exclusively for the education of boy choristers. It is located in Dean's Yard
Dean's Yard
Dean's Yard, Westminster, comprises most of the remaining precincts of the former monastery of Westminster, not occupied by the Abbey buildings. It is known to members of Westminster School as Green, and referred to without an article...
, by Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
. It educates 34 boys currently, aged 8–13 who sing in the Choir of Westminster Abbey which takes part in state and national occasions as well as singing evensong everyday (except Wednesday) and gives concert performances around the world. Its most recent tour was to Moscow, singing in the International House of Music there. Other tours included trips to Australia, America, and Hong Kong.
The Headmaster is Jonathan Milton, former Headmaster of The Abbey School, Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury Abbey
The Abbey of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Tewkesbury in the English county of Gloucestershire is the second largest parish church in the country and a former Benedictine monastery.-History:...
. The Organist and Master of the Choristers is James O'Donnell
James O'Donnell (organist)
James O'Donnell, KCGS, LVO, FRCM, FRSCM, HonRAM is Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey, a position he has held since 2000....
, former Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
. There is also a school newspaper/board called Wacs lyrical
Wacs lyrical
WACS Lyrical is the official student-run newspaper/newsboard of Westminster Abbey Choir School. It provides interesting news and fun competitions for the whole school to enjoy. Such Competitions as the "Pudding Competition" where competitors enter a pudding of their choice and the winning entry...
.
History
The original school opened in 1848; the present building was opened in 1915. It was extensively refurbished in 1994.Governors
The Chairman of the Governors of the school is the Very Reverend John HallJohn Robert Hall
John Robert Hall FRSA is an English priest of the Church of England. He is the current Dean of Westminster.-Education:Hall was educated at St Dunstan's College, Catford and St Chad's College, University of Durham...
, Dean of Westminster and former Chief Education Officer for the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
Inspections
The school was inspected by the Independent Schools InspectorateIndependent Schools Inspectorate
The Independent Schools Inspectorate is an organisation responsible for the inspection of independent schools in England which are affiliated to the Independent Schools Council . The Inspectorate is a separate company, owned by the Independent Schools Council and has its work monitored by the...
in November 2006. The inspection report stated that the school provides an outstanding education.
The choir
The choir makes frequent broadcasts and recordings. The choir's two most recent recordings are "Music from the reign of King James" and "The Feast of Saint Peter the Apostle at Westminster Abbey" which also received very positive reviews. The Sub-organist is Robert Quinney and the assistant organist is James McVinnie, with James O'Donnell as the organist and masters of the choristers.In 2009 it was decided to no longer have the positions of Head Chorister and Second Chorister so that the choir would be like other choirs.