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Christopher was appointed a Vicar Choral at Wells Cathedral in September 2001, having previously been a Lay Clerk at The Queen's Free Chapel, Windsor Castle. Vicars Choral, the men of the choir, have existed since at least the 1100's to sing the daily round of services in Wells Cathedral. The College of Vicars Choral was founded in 1348 by Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, under special licence from King Edward III, to provide the 42 Vicars with a common identity, a place to live and a degree of security. Communal entertainment is often in the Vicars Hall which has served as a meeting and eating place since it was built in 1348. The 42 bachelor dwellings in Vicars' Close were built around the same time.
Vicars' Close, Wells. Photo reproduced with kind permission
With the simplification of services at the reformation, the number of Vicars Choral was reduced to 12. Nowadays there are usually 9 permanent Vicars Choral and 3 Choral Scholars. The Vicars Choral - September 2006 Christopher Sheldrake (Bass) Stephen Foulkes (Bass) Laurence Whitehead (Bass) Edward Coton (Tenor) Richard Rowntree (Tenor) Iain MacLeod-Jones (Tenor) Tim Angel (Alto) Simon Clulow (Alto) Matthew Lennox (Alto)
Choral Scholars - September 2006 Richard Jenkins (Tenor) David Shipley (Bass-Baritone)
Deputy - September 2006 Kevin Beckett (Alto)
The Vicars Choral sing from time to time at fundraising events. Should you wish to consider inviting them to perform at an event you are organising, please contact Christopher Sheldrake at vc[at]christophersheldrake[dot]com
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