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Exeter Cathedral Choir is a renowned classical music artist that has been enchanting audiences with their heavenly voices for over 900 years. The choir is based in Exeter Cathedral, a magnificent medieval cathedral located in the city of Exeter, Devon, England. The choir has a rich history that dates back to the 12th century, and it has evolved over the years to become one of the most celebrated choirs in the world. The birth of Exeter Cathedral Choir can be traced back to the founding of Exeter Cathedral in 1050. The cathedral was built to serve as the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, and it quickly became a center of religious and cultural life in the region. The choir was established in the 12th century, and it was initially made up of lay clerks who were responsible for singing the daily services in the cathedral. Over time, the choir evolved to include boy choristers, who were trained to sing the treble parts, and adult male singers, who sang the alto, tenor, and bass parts. The choir has undergone many changes over the centuries, but it has always maintained a high standard of excellence. In the 16th century, the choir was reorganized by Bishop John Veysey, who appointed a new master of the choristers and established a system of musical education for the boy choristers. This system of education has been passed down through the generations, and it is still in use today. One of the highlights of Exeter Cathedral Choir's history was the appointment of Dr. Lionel Dakers as the director of music in 1968. Dr. Dakers was a renowned musician and conductor who had previously served as the director of music at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Under his leadership, the choir flourished, and it became known for its beautiful sound and impeccable musicianship. Dr. Dakers also established the Exeter Festival Chorus, which performed major choral works with the choir and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Exeter Cathedral Choir has performed at many prestigious venues and events over the years. One of the most notable performances was the choir's appearance at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. The choir sang a selection of hymns and anthems during the ceremony, and their performance was broadcast to millions of people around the world. The choir has also performed at the BBC Proms, the Three Choirs Festival, and the Edinburgh Festival. In addition to their performances, Exeter Cathedral Choir has also received many awards and accolades over the years. In 2018, the choir was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Award for Best Choral Performance for their recording of Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir. This was a significant achievement for the choir, as the Gramophone Awards are considered to be the most prestigious awards in the classical music industry. Exeter Cathedral Choir has also released many recordings over the years, including several albums of Christmas music. Their recordings have received critical acclaim and have helped to spread their music to audiences around the world. The choir's most recent recording, released in 2020, is a collection of choral works by the English composer Herbert Howells. Today, Exeter Cathedral Choir continues to enchant audiences with their beautiful music and impeccable musicianship. The choir is made up of 18 boy choristers, 12 adult male singers, and 4 probationers, who are all trained in the cathedral's musical education program.

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