Herbert Sumsion host cities, along with Worcester and Hereford, of the Three Choirs Festival, an annual festival of choral emphasis first held in the early 18th century. Sumsion would later write of his musically formative experiences at the cathedral: ‘Quite soon after my entry into the choir I was singing with the [Three Choirs] Festival Chorus and gradually absorbing the choral music of the great classical composers and the contemporary writers, of whom the giant was certainly Elgar.' When Sumsion’s treble voice broke at age 15, he became an ‘articled pupil’ to Brewer, a designation connoting a three-year apprenticeship in organ, choral
Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir men take exams and receive RSCM awards as recognition for their achievements. The choir also sings at the annual award ceremony for the Diocese of Worcester. At various services each year, the choir sings alongside the Worcester Cathedral Choir, creating a more substantial sound than from either choir on its own, or creating impressive, multi-directional soundscapes in the cathedral. Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir The Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir is an Anglican choir made up of boy trebles and male voices. The choir is based at Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, United Kingdom and regularly sings at the 6:30pm Sunday Evensong. The choir