IN 1486, by special Papal Bull, St Nicholas' Collegiate Church established a college with singing priests, appointed by the Galway Corporation, which was instructed to train young children to sing at daily church services.
More than 500 years later, the church’s young choristers no longer have to sing every day nor live in the college house with the clergy – but they are still able to take part in a tradition of sacred music and receive musical education.
The choristers of St Nicholas' Schola Cantorum are a mixed choir of boys and girls, from all religious denominations or none, aged eight to 14, that rehearse every Sunday, and once a month sing at the Sunday morning liturgy. The choristers are taught to read music and given vocal training by the church’s team of professional musicians led by Mark Duley.
The choristers also sing at concerts and special events, and as part of the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture programme, they will have a starring role to play in a new opera being written especially for Galway and the church.
New members are welcome and a limited number of places are still available for boys aged eight to 10. Parents of interested aspiring young male singers should contact Mark Duley at [email protected].
