St John’s College at Cambridge University will break a 350-year-old tradition by allowing girls and women to become choristers for the first time.
Girls and women will be allowed to join the historically all-male group at St John’s College choir that was set up in 1670 from next year.
Andrew Nethsingha has directed the choir for 14 years and is a former organ scholar at St John’s.
The College said he had 'spearheaded' the move, strengthening his 'reputation for encouraging young singers'.
It added he was known for 'championing contemporary music and commissioning new work from established and emerging composers'.
Mr Nethsingha said it was a 'great and historic day' for the choir.
He said: 'I hope this small step will bring the day closer when there is gender equality amongst composers, organists and conductors, as well as among politicians, business leaders and in all other walks of life.
St John’s College at Cambridge University will break a 350-year-old tradition by allowing girls and women to become choristers (pictured) for the first time
New choristers usually join when they are eight years old. It will be four or five years before all five year-groups of the choir contain both boys and girls
St John’s (pictured) is one of Cambridge University’s 31 colleges and is thought to be the second wealthiest Cambridge college with assets of around £780million
The announcement today marks another departure from the English tradition of cathedral choirs being exclusively for men and boys
'Providing an opportunity for girls and women to sing as members of The Choir of St John’s is a very exciting development for the choral tradition of the College.
'Choral singing is a specialised art form, and our choir has played a formative role in the careers of many globally recognised musicians.
'Extending membership to talented female singers creates an exceptional new musical opportunity for women and girls, as our much-loved choir continues to make a highly valued contribution to the musical life of St John’s and the wider world.'
'Much of the St John’s style is created by a particular approach to phrasing, to tone-colour, to suppleness of line, by warmth and generosity, by emotional engagement with the text, by a desire to move the listener rather than simply impress them with technical accomplishment.
'The choristers create something of extraordinary beauty every day.
Andrew Nethsingha (left) has directed the choir for 14 years and is a former organ scholar at St John’s. The College said he had 'spearheaded' the move, strengthening his 'reputation for encouraging young singers'. Heather Hancock (right) was admitted as the new Master of St John's last year. She is the first woman to hold the position
'Our choir is a family, with an emphasis on mutual encouragement, enjoyment, kindness, praise and empathetic support. In addition to their
