Schola Puellarum
The move to co-education in 2004 saw the opening of a new chapter in Ampleforth's tradition of choral singing, with the formation of the Schola Puellarum. The 30-strong girls' choir was formed with the aim of giving girls at the College the opportunity to contribute to the musical and liturgical life of the Abbey Church. They sing with the upper school boys at mass on Sunday mornings and from time to time as a girls' only choir. The choir joins with the Schola Cantorum and the Schola Sancti Mrtini from St Martin's Ampleforth for oratorio performances from time to time.
The Girls' Choir released its first recording A Ceremony of Carols and other music from Ampleforth three years ago. The programme includes Britten's famous setting of the Ceremony of Carols.
Listen to an excerpt from The Messiah 2009