Once a Chorister. Always a Chorister.
A worldwide federation connecting former cathedral, chapel and collegiate choristers — celebrating the music, memories and friendships that choral life leaves behind.
One federation, three ways we bring choristers together
Our Mission
We unite the old choristers' associations of the world's great choral foundations, championing their interests and helping new associations get started.
Read our story →Festival & AGM
A weekend of music, food and fellowship hosted by a different association each year, plus our annual gathering of representatives each spring.
See the calendar →Publications
Our annual magazine and regular updates bring together Festival reports, association news and features for former choristers everywhere.
Browse publications →115 years of choral fellowship
The idea of a federation uniting cathedral old choristers' associations was first raised at a reunion of the Peterborough Association in September 1910. Within nine months, twenty associations had pledged their support and the National Federation was formally born in the Deanery Garden at Peterborough.
Read our full historyA Century of Highlights
From helping save BBC Choral Evensong on Radio 3 to standing up for England's choir schools — we've championed the choral tradition when it mattered most.
“Almighty God, we thank you for the music we enjoyed in our lives as choristers and sang together in your house to glorify your name. Let that music always be a witness to your majesty and love, and remind us that you are always watching, and listening from your heavenly throne. May your Spirit guide us through our daily lives so that we may continue to be the instruments of your peace, and proclaim with a glad voice your honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” The Once a Chorister Prayer — adapted from ‘The Musician's Prayer’