This month marks 50 years since Leicester Cathedral Girls' Choir was established, becoming the first Church of England cathedral to establish a female top line independent of the boys.

To celebrate this historic anniversary, the Cathedral held two special events during the weekend of 14 and 15 September.

A Saturday night concert, 'O Sons and Daughters, Let us Sing,' was hosted by Classic FM presenter and former Leicester Cathedral chorister Katie Breathwick and brought together Cathedral Choir members past and present to sing a range of pieces from the Choir's last half-century.

A Choral Evensong on Sunday included a new anthem, commissioned for the occasion, from the acclaimed composer Cecilia McDowall and welcomed guest preacher Revd Dr Victoria Johnson, Dean of Chapel at St John's College, Cambridge.

Christopher Ouvry-Johns, the Cathedral's Director of Music, said

"Thank you to all who helped make the celebrations such a success. The atmosphere was fantastic and the weekend has enabled us to reconnect with members from throughout the choir's history. Clergy colleagues over the years have said 'It's all about relationships', which has always resonated with me. Last weekend showed just how true that is."

Cecilia McDowall, composer, said:

"I can't thank you enough for a wonderful, most memorable Choral Evensong! The whole occasion was just so uplifting with so many choristers there of every age in a beautifully designed service to celebrate the joy of singing."

For the many returning choristers, the weekend was especially moving. Dominic Veall, a former chorister and songman, who now works as a professional musician in London, said:

"I haven't stopped smiling after spending the weekend with old choir friends. Quite honestly, it was one of the most meaningful weekends – years of friendships, all from singing together in a cathedral choir!"

Geoffrey Carter, who directed the Girls' Choir as Assistant Master of the Music when it began in 1974, was also in attendance with his wife. The weekend was a fitting celebration of his inspired idea and of the ongoing work of the Girl's Choir, which the Cathedral continues to take great pride in. Also present was Jonathan Gregory, the Cathedral's Director of Music from 1994–2010, who conducted the Choir for the Canticles in the service.

Leicester Cathedral Girls' Choir held its first rehearsal in September 1974 under the direction of the then Assistant Master of the Music, Geoffrey Carter, becoming the first Church of England cathedral to have a female top line independent of the boys.

Since then, Leicester Cathedral has been at the forefront of the move towards gender equality. In 2000, Vivienne Faul became the first woman Provost of an English cathedral (and the first female Dean when the title changed in 2002). In 2022, Leicester became the first cathedral to have an all-female clergy team, and installation of Karen Rooms as Dean in 2024 made us the first cathedral to have two female Deans. The current Precentor, Emma Davies, Assistant Director of Music, Rosie Vinter, and Head Verger, Bev Collett, are the first women to hold these posts at Leicester.