Cathedral choral singing is under serious threat unless business steps support the centuries-old tradition for many more years. Without it, the cathedral could fall silent.

in to sponsor a chorister and back a new endowment fund.

Rochester Cathedral has launched a campaign to raise £9 million to

The cathedral already operates a Sponsor a Chorister scheme that has
so far attracted two donations of £50,000 - but there are 30 more boy and girl choristers in what is widely hailed as a choir of the highest quality. Each sponsored chorister wears a medal marking that they are supported choristership for all time. Firms and others can make individual donations, or be rewarded with benefits in exchange for certain levels of giving named after key cathedral roles - Chamberlain (£1,000 - told more than 100 guests at the first-ever dinner to be held in the nave, that this tradition was under serious threat. A bequest that had additional £9 million. If you say that quickly enough it doesn’t hurt! But without this, the cathedral will fall silent, the ancient
tradition preserved by its regularity, will fall into disrepair and we

by a livery company, business or private individual.

A £50,000 donation would establish a sufficient sum to endow a

£9,999), Almoner (£10,000 - £49,999), and Prior (£50,000 and above).

Launching the appeal, the Very Revd Dr Mark Beach, the cathedral dean,

funded music in recent years would run out soon.

"This means that over the next five or so years, we need to raise an

will have lost something irreplaceable."

He added: "This is a once in a life time opportunity to contribute to a living tradition that is under serious threat, a chance to secure the future of music in this place and to ensure that our musicians can share their gifts with the wider community which I believe is at the the project as part of a Corporate Giving policy.

heart of all that we are."

He urged business people, or those with links to business, to support