The Saint Dunstan Chorister Guild
The Saint Dunstan Chorister Guild offers children and youth a serious, joyful, and faith-filled musical education rooted in the sacred traditions of the Church.
The Chorister Guild is an integral part of The Saint Dunstan Schola. Choristers rehearse and sing alongside adult members of the ensemble, learning the habits of excellent choral singing through both instruction and example.
Our choristers learn to sing with confidence, read music fluently, understand the basics of music theory, participate reverently in liturgy, and appreciate the beauty of Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony, and traditional hymnody.
This is not simply a children’s choir. It is a guild of formation — musical, intellectual, spiritual, and personal.
The Saint Dunstan Chorister Guild
The Saint Dunstan Schola draws inspiration from the English choir school tradition and firmly rooted in catholic worship and identity. Choristers are trained to understand that singing sacred music is both an art and a service.
Through weekly rehearsal, liturgical singing, and structured instruction, students grow in:
- Healthy vocal technique and production
- Music literacy and reading musical notation
- Sight-singing
- Rhythm and pitch
- Solfège and ear training
- Music theory
- Plainsong and harmonized psalmody
- Latin pronunciation for singing
- Choral blend and ensemble awareness
- Hymn singing
- Part-singing and harmony
- Gregorian chant (including notation and interpretation)
- Liturgical texts and seasons
- Liturgical awareness
- Sacred music history
- Choral discipline and rehearsal etiquette
- Teamwork and leadership within the choir
- Confidence and poise
Because adults and children sing together, young choristers are continually surrounded by musical examples to imitate. They learn not only from instruction, but from participation in a living choral culture.
The goal is not merely to produce good singers, but to form young people who understand beauty, discipline, service, and prayer.
Voice for Life
The Saint Dunstan Schola is an affiliate of RSCM America and uses the Voice for Life training schema as the foundation of the Chorister Guild curriculum.
Voice for Life provides a structured path of musical development, helping choristers grow step by step in vocal skill, music theory, sight-singing, and choral understanding. Choristers work through progressive levels of achievement, gaining both practical ability and a sense of accomplishment as they advance.
At The Saint Dunstan Schola, this curriculum is augmented by significant instruction in Gregorian chant, Latin pronunciation, liturgical singing, and catholic musical tradition.
An affiliate of
Who May Join?
The Chorister Guild is open to children and youth who are ready for focused musical instruction and regular participation in rehearsals and liturgies.
Generally, choristers should be old enough to read fluently and participate attentively in a structured rehearsal environment. Prior musical experience is helpful but not required. A good ear, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude are more important than previous training.
Prospective choristers may be invited for a simple placement meeting or vocal assessment. This is not intended to be intimidating; it simply helps us understand each child’s current ability and place them appropriately within The Saint Dunstan Schola.
Auditions, Enrollment, and Choir Fees
Children interested in the Chorister Guild will be invited to begin with a simple audition or placement meeting with the Choirmaster. This meeting is not intended to be intimidating or overly formal; it is simply an opportunity for us to get to know each prospective chorister, hear their voice, assess their current musical readiness, and determine how best to support their growth within The Saint Dunstan Schola.
During the audition, a prospective chorister may be asked to sing a familiar hymn, song, or simple melody; match pitches; echo short musical patterns; clap or read basic rhythms; or demonstrate any music-reading experience they may already have. Prior musical training is helpful, but it is not required. A good ear, a willing spirit, attentiveness, and the ability to participate respectfully in rehearsal are often the most important signs of readiness.
Once accepted, choristers are enrolled in the Chorister Guild and begin participating in the regular rhythm of rehearsals, formation, and liturgies with The Saint Dunstan Schola. Because our model depends on consistency and shared musical growth, families are asked to make attendance and preparation a priority. Choristers grow best when they are present regularly, learning not only from direct instruction but also from singing alongside adult members of the ensemble.
Choir fees are $400 per semester and help support the ongoing work of the Chorister Guild, including instructional time, music and materials, RSCM affiliation and Voice for Life resources, chant training, administrative costs, and other expenses connected with serious sacred music formation. If cost would be a determining factor in whether a family is able to participate, parents are encouraged to speak with the Director. The Saint Dunstan Schola does not want financial hardship alone to prevent a willing and capable chorister from taking part, and scholarship opportunities or payment arrangements may be available.
Additionally, The Saint Dunstan Schola has also been approved to accept funds as a direct provider through the Step Up for Students portal. Eligible families can use approved scholarship funds toward qualifying Chorister Guild fees and related music formation expenses, subject to Step Up for Students guidelines and family eligibility. Families who wish to use Step Up for Students funds should contact The Saint Dunstan Schola before enrollment so that we can provide the necessary provider information and help guide the process through the portal.