1. Purpose
Once a Chorister exists to bring together the old choristers' associations of the world's great choral foundations — cathedrals, Chapels Royal, collegiate churches, and the college chapels of Oxford and Cambridge, together with any other choral foundation the Executive Committee chooses to welcome. We further the love of cathedral choral worship, bring our affiliated associations into closer touch with one another, champion their interests, and help new ex-chorister associations get started where none yet exist.
2. Objectives
To unite associations of former choristers in mutual support and fellowship; to promote and safeguard the choral tradition of the English cathedral and collegiate foundations; to organise an annual Festival and Annual General Meeting; to publish an annual magazine and periodic updates; and to assist member associations, financially and otherwise, in their formation and continued operation.
3. Administration
The Federation is administered by an Executive Committee comprising the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, supported by a body of Vice Presidents and Ambassadors drawn from member associations. The Committee meets regularly throughout the year and reports to the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
4. Committee
Composition
The Executive Committee consists of a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, each elected by the membership, together with any co-opted members the Committee considers necessary to carry out its work.
Powers
The Committee is empowered to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Federation, to approve expenditure within budgets agreed at the AGM, to appoint sub-committees for specific purposes (such as organising a Festival), and to act on behalf of the Federation between General Meetings.
Quorum
No decision of the Executive Committee shall be valid unless a majority of its serving members are present or have otherwise indicated their agreement.
5. Membership
Membership structure follows the model set out in the Guildford Cathedral Choir Association's 2012 constitution, drafted to satisfy HMRC's Gift Aid and gross-interest requirements, comprising: a Patron; a President; Vice Presidents; Honorary or Life Members; ordinary Members; and Associate (or “Individual”) Members who support the Federation's work without belonging to a specific affiliated association.
6. Motions
Motions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting must be submitted to the Secretary in advance of the meeting. Amendments to this Constitution require a motion to be carried by a majority of members present and voting at a General Meeting.
7. Finance
The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the Federation's accounts and presenting them to the membership at each Annual General Meeting. Any surplus arising from a Festival is shared 50:50 between the host association and the Federation, to be reinvested in future events. A start-up or relaunch grant of up to £100 is available to member associations from the Federation's funds.
8. Matters Not Covered
Any matter not expressly covered by this Constitution shall be decided by the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final until such time as the membership resolves otherwise at a General Meeting.
Last updated 2026. A full downloadable version of the Generic Constitution Template referenced in Section 5 is available above for associations drafting or reviewing their own governing documents.