.png){kind=small}
St Ann's Choir
St Ann's boasts a SATB choir who sing during Sunday services at 10:45 and 17:00. The choirs repertoire is drawn mainly from English and European cathedral music and includes both professional singers and students studying at the Royal Northern Collage of Music.
​
In 2024 St Ann's Choir received an award from The Cathedral Music Trust, as proof and testament to the professionalism of our choir. Through this award, St Ann's now offers vocal coaching with Postgraduate Singing Students from the Royal Northern Collage of Music.
Become a Choir Member
Thinking of joining us? Apply for an audition! St Ann's is always interested to hear from singers of all voice parts: sopranos, altos (contraltos or counter-tenors), tenors and basses. For non-professional singers, we offer optional free vocal coaching sessions.
​
During your audition you will be asked to sing a hymn and/or a song / aria, sightread a hymn and a short excerpt of a choral piece. There will be a brief section with vocal exercises, to get to know your range and timbre. You will also be asked to sing prepared excerpts previously sent to you - an Anglican Chant, Preces and Responses (e.g. Smith, Tomkins, Rose) and a Mass setting (e.g. Byrd)
​
To apply please email James, our Director of Music:
​
Pilling Trust Organ Scholar
St Ann’s has a long history of excellence in training organ scholars, funded via the Parochial Church Council of St Ann’s by the John Pilling Trust. The scholarship is usually offered to students studying at the Royal Northern Collage of Music or University of Manchester.
​
St Ann’s Church offers comprehensive training for organists so they can transition to become future Directors of Music. Training including free lessons in organ playing, historically informed playing, improvisation, keyboard skills, liturgical playing, accompaniment, and choral conducting
Vocal Coaching
St Ann's vocal coaching scheme runs in collaboration with the Royal Northern Collage of Music, supported by a generous award from the Cathedral Music Trust and the RSCM. The scheme offers individual coaching for St Ann's choir members and expands access to the choir for those with less experience in the choral repertoire.
St Ann's Organ
St Ann’s features a historic four-manual organ, partially dating back to the original 1730 instrument. The organ was last rebuilt by George Sixsmith & Son Ltd in 1996. It was thanks to the removal of the organ for this rebuilt that it was saved from destruction during the IRA attacks on Manchester that same year.
The organs full specification is available on the National Pipe Organ Register.