English abbey admits first girls

From Tewkesbury Abbey:

Dean Close Preparatory School, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Abbey are delighted to announce a historic change to their chorister
programme. From September 2021, chorister places in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum will, for the first time, be open to
both young girls and boys.

This exciting step presents an equal opportunity for young boys and girls of all ages and backgrounds to have access to the
outstanding musical training that being a chorister brings, alongside a first-class education at Dean Close Preparatory School. This
year, opportunities are open for girls and boys to begin as choristers in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum in years 4, 5 and 6 in
September 2021. In a significant first for both Tewkesbury Abbey and Dean Close Preparatory School, the change will mean that
boys and girls will have the opportunity to sing alongside one another on a daily basis. 

The Reverend Canon Paul Williams, Vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey, said: “As we celebrate 900 years of Christian worship and
witness at Tewkesbury Abbey, I am delighted to welcome this new initiative. As we move into the future, it builds on all that has
gone before and strengthens the already significant partnership between Tewkesbury Abbey and Dean Closes Preparatory
School. Hallelujah, on we go!”