"A Cathedral Chorister" drabbles by Richard Hunt

The voice test

A Cathedral Chorister #1

We were a musical family, singing round the piano most nights. Norwich Cathedral is an impressive place, the choir is prestigious.
August 1949, aged 8, I am in the song school for a voice test to join the choir. Eleven other hopefuls and I are ranged round the piano. Just two would be chosen.
One boy sang ‘Away in a manger, another ‘There is a green hill - and so on.
I didn’t know any hymns or carols, so I volunteered ’Vilia’ from ‘The Merry Widow’.
“You’ll never make it.” They all said afterwards.
But I did! I joined the Choir!