Canterbury Cathedral’s Girls’ Choir
formed in 2014. sings at Evensong in the Cathedral twice every month, frequently with the lay clerks. The majority of the girls attend local schools in Canterbury and they rehearse each Wednesday evening. Their first performance at Evensong, on the occasion of the feast of the Conversion of St Paul, in January, was attended by more than 600 people and widely covered by the international press.

The Girls’ Choir has already performed at events of significance in the Cathedral. These include the service held to mark the 20th anniversary of the ordination of women priests and the consecration service of the Bishop of Europe. More recently they sang at a service of dedication and unveiling of two royal statues, attended by HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, and the consecration service for the first female diocesan bishop.

The Girls’ Choir currently records exclusively for Decca Records, having previously collaborated with Signum Classics and BBC Music Magazine. Of their recent album, Christmas with Canterbury Cathedral Girls’ Choir, BBC Music Magazine noted that ‘The sound created under the choir’s director David Newsholme is bright and smoothly blended, with excellent articulation and dynamic detail’. The Girls’ Choir has appeared on television and radio, most recently performing live on BBC’s The One Show and ITV’s This Morning.

Canterbury Cathedral Girls’ Choir is generously supported by The Peter Cundill Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2012, following the death of its founder, Peter Cundill (1938-2011). During his remarkable life, Peter had many interests and was both an academic and an athlete. He was also one of the most successful investment managers of his generation and a philanthropist. He was passionate about supporting the young and often helped those with aspirations to better themselves and fulfil their potential in the fields of education and sport. The Foundation’s gift to Canterbury Cathedral for music and education was made in his memory, recognising Peter’s enthusiasm for choral music, history and supporting young people.

David Newsholme
is Director of the Girls' Choir and Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral.

He was previously Assistant Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College and has held positions at the Cathedrals of Salisbury and Worcester.

David read Music at the University of Oxford, where he was Organ and Academic Scholar of New College. Postgraduate study at the University of York culminated in the award of a PhD in 2014.

David is founding Director of the Girls' Choir at Canterbury. The ensemble's formation was covered widely by the international media and featured in a BBC documentary about the Cathedral.

​ He has conducted the choir at numerous high-profile occasions, including a service attended by HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, and the consecration service of the Church of England's first female diocesan Bishop. The choir has also appeared on television and radio, most recently performing live on BBC’s The One Show and ITV’s This Morning. ​

The Girls’ Choir currently records exclusively for Decca Records, having previously collaborated with Signum Classics and BBC Music Magazine. Of their most recent release, Christmas with Canterbury Cathedral Girls’ Choir, BBC Music Magazine noted that ‘The sound created under the choir’s director David Newsholme is bright and smoothly blended, with excellent articulation and dynamic detail’.

David is principal organist to the Choir of Canterbury Cathedral, with which he regularly broadcasts, tours and records. He has played at a number of significant occasions, most notably the enthronement service of Archbishop Justin Welby in 2013. ​

David pursues a parallel solo career and has appeared at venues throughout Europe and the USA. He has recorded the Trio Sonatas of J.S. Bach (Opus Arte, 2015) and music by Herbert Howells (Regent, 2013). ​

Between 2009 and 2013 David held the W. T. Best Scholarship, a prestigious award bestowed by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, which provided support for his keyboard studies with David Sanger, Gillian Weir and Pieter van Dijk at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.