For the first time in its nearly 900-year history, girls will take to the choir at St. Paul's Cathedral for the Christmas Day service, marking a significant milestone for the iconic institution located in London. The internationally renowned choir, which traces its roots back to the 12th century, will feature young female voices for the festive service slated for Wednesday.
This groundbreaking development allows Lila, aged 11, and Lois, aged 10, to perform alongside their male counterparts. Both young girls successfully joined the choir earlier this year, having passed rigorous probation and undertaken specialized training. Their inclusion is seen as part of broader efforts to modernize the cathedral’s traditions, bringing female voices to roles historically reserved for men.
The Right Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, expressed her joy about this historic moment, stating, "It is a great joy to welcome Lila and Lois to the cathedral community. I hope they can be an inspiration to other young girls as to what can be achieved, in what is a huge milestone in St Paul’s 900-year history.” The Bishop highlighted the significance of the girls’ hard work and dedication, reflecting on the emotional aspect of their achievement.
The decision to admit girls to the choir was announced last year, taking inspiration from other prominent cathedrals across the UK, which have already integrated female choristers. This transition was seen not only as necessary but overdue as the cathedral sought to align itself with contemporary values of gender equality and inclusivity.
Lila and Lois began their preparatory training back in June, focusing on the skills required for their roles. The historic Christmas Day service, renowned across the UK, will take place under the cathedral's iconic 365-foot dome, renowned for its architectural beauty and historical significance, originally redesigned by the famed architect Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.
This momentous shift follows the integration of Carris Jones, who made history as the first female chorister to join the cathedral on a full-time basis back in 2017. After years of advocacy for female representation, her arrival paved the way for Lila and Lois's recent accomplishments. Carris expressed her emotions at her own induction excitedly, saying, "It wasn’t just for me, it was for lots of my other female colleagues as well. I feel very lucky to be joining a choir ... I feel really privileged to have been in the right place at the right time.”
With Lila and Lois’s participation this Christmas, St. Paul’s Cathedral not only celebrates its rich traditions but also embraces progress, reflecting the changing dynamics of societal roles and representation. The choir, under the dome, will sing for the public, heralding the joy and spirit of the festive season with voices of both boys and girls united.
This shift marks not just the participation of two young girls but signifies broader cultural changes within spaces like the cathedral, aiming to inspire future generations. Their voices join the prestigious legacy of St. Paul’s, marking both history and hope as they bring their talents to the forefront.
