Patrons lend their support to the St Margaret’s Choristers

The patrons are:

• Baroness (Floella) Benjamin
• Baroness (Sue) Carr, Lady Chief Justice
• Broadcaster Katie Derham
• Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons
• Baroness (Genista) McIntosh, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords

The St Margaret’s Choristers began meeting last September. The choir is made up of twenty girls aged 11 – 17, drawn from schools across London, who receive free singing tuition as well as a generous scholarship. Under the direction of Greg Morris, Director of Music at St Margaret’s, they have the opportunity to perform some of the great cathedral music repertoire alongside the professional singers of the St Margaret’s Consort. Worship is the heartbeat of the Abbey and this choir helps to sustain our life and mission. The Dean and Chapter have been delighted to see the way this initiative has taken wing so quickly.

Services and special performances

The choristers are currently singing fortnightly at the Sunday evening service in St Margaret's, and will commence performing weekly during term time from September. Later this year they will also start singing selected services in Westminster Abbey, beginning with Evensong on Wednesday 8th May.

Among other special performances in the coming months, the choir will sing French composer Cécile Chaminade's Messe pour deux voix égales during Sung Eucharist in St Margaret’s at 6:00pm on Sunday 3rd March. The music has been chosen as part of Fraternité, a season of events at the Abbey celebrating the links between the UK and France.

The choristers will also celebrate Women’s History Month when they sing at an event in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday 19th March.

What the patrons say

'I am absolutely delighted to be a Patron of the St Margaret’s Choristers. As a girl I loved singing in a choir and know that it is great for the soul and very uplifting for both singers and for those listening. So it will be great to hear the girls’ beautiful voices ringing out in St Margaret’s Church and the Abbey and inspiring other young women.'
- Baroness Benjamin, OM DBE DL

'Singing in a girls’ choir was an important part of my youth, and I am delighted to be associated with the newly-formed St Margaret’s Choristers. The girls will have the chance to grow together as singers and musicians, all under Greg Morris’ expert guidance. And they will, I am sure, have a lot of fun along the way as well! With an exciting schedule ahead, they will be performing on many different occasions in many different venues, and I look forward very much to being part of their journey.'
- The Rt Hon. the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, Lady Chief Justice

'I am delighted to become a patron of the newly formed St Margaret's Choristers at Westminster Abbey. We have such a rich and marvellous choral tradition in this country, and I'm a huge fan of as many voices as possible being able to enjoy it. This new girls' choir marks an exciting new chapter at perhaps the most beautiful Abbey of them all. I can't wait to hear them sing there.'
- Katie Derham, broadcaster

'This is a historic moment to have the first ever all-girls choir at St Margaret’s - the parish church of the House of Commons. Recent once-in-a-lifetime occasions, such as the Coronation of King Charles III – which I was delighted to attend - have allowed us to hear the exquisite music of Westminster Abbey. To add girls' voices to the on-going range of musical excellence is something to celebrate. Not only am I honoured to be patron of this wonderful choir, I am looking forward to welcoming its members to Parliament very soon.'
- Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons

'It’s a pleasure and a privilege to support St Margaret’s Choristers, a welcome addition to music at St Margaret’s Church and Westminster Abbey more widely. I have long believed that girls should have the opportunity to benefit from the outstanding musical education provided by our cathedrals; I wish the choir every success and look forward to hearing them often in the future.'
- Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall, Senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords

Joining the St Margaret’s Choristers

Find out more about the St Margaret's Choristers and details of applying to become a chorister from September 2024.

More about St Margaret’s Church

St Margaret’s Church is situated beside Westminster Abbey and is under the governance of its Dean and Chapter. The church, which celebrated its 500th anniversary last year, has significant links with Parliament and is often called ‘the parish church of the House of Commons’. As well as services for the parliamentary community, St Margaret’s also holds regular services for schools, charities and other organisations, alongside the important part it plays in the worshipping life of the Abbey.