The Choral Foundation

Safeguarding The Chapel Royal's Past for Future Generations

The Choral Foundation has been created to ensure that congregations and visitors continue to have the opportunity to experience the rich musical heritage of the Church of England, in what has been described as “the greatest Palace in Britain”. The initial objective is to secure £1.5 million, to support the present musical programme at The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court and in time to create a Fund, the income from which will ultimately be sufficient to finance future endeavours.

Gifts to The Choral Foundation will help us:

Refurbish the Organ
The organ needs a major refurbishment costing over £200,000. The beautiful and historic three-manual Schrider organ, which was built in 1712, was last refurbished twenty years ago.

Provide Music Lessons for Choristers
Being a chorister of the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court is one of the finest musical trainings a child can receive, and an experience that stands him in good stead for any future career. In addition to singing at two services on Sundays they attend two practices each week. Many choristers play several musical instruments and gain musical scholarships to their next school. Some choristers go on to play the organ and several have become organ scholars at local churches and at their universities.

Attract and Retain Professional Gentlemen
There are 10 Gentlemen in the Choir, they are professional singers. The proximity to London means that the Chapel must pay competitive professional rates to secure and pay its Gentlemen and it is currently unable to afford this.

Spread the Sound to New and Wider Audiences
Secure funding will enable the Choir to take advantage of new opportunities to inspire new audiences including children, to accept invitations to record and sing at venues outside the Palace and abroad and to face the future with confidence.