THE OLD CHORISTER MAGAZINE
1931 to 1987

Members of the Federation are proud of their annual magazine. Originally The Old Chorister it was first published in 1931 and edited by Frank Hewitt (Chester) until 1973 when Ross Hickling (Durham) became editor. However, no magazines were printed between 1974 and 1977, but typewritten notes were produced. In 1978 Graham Woodmansterne (Westminster Abbey) took over as editor and for ten years produced a professional magazine with good quality photographs and reports. He also introduced a binder in which to keep the magazines. In 1987 the editorship was taken over by David Horner (York).

ONCE-A-CHORISTER MAGAZINE
1988

The new editor, David Horner (York) circulated a questionnaire to all members, inviting comments on the way forward for a more modern and restructured magazine. From this the magazine was renamed Once-A-Chorister, the cover was redesigned, in colour, and the layout of the magazine was restyled. The distribution was restructured and the magazine published annually in May for collection at the AGMs.

The new format proved successful with an immediate circulation of 2500. It provides a sprightly insight into the musical activities of our present choirs; it abounds with news of careers and cultural activities of ex choristers; it gives detailed information of the current Federation Festivals as well as association reports.

In 1998 Alan Wheeler (Lincoln) took over the editorship together with the able assistance of his son Toby Wheeler (Canterbury). It was time for a further change in the design of the front cover, and with record sales they produced a quality magazine. Alan and Toby continued until the Millennium year before handing the editorship over to Michael Barry (Guildford) in 2001.

Get your current copy by contacting the Publications Officer (See Contact & Links Page)