Inaugural “Ronald Wilson Award for Music” presented at Carlisle Cathedral
Inaugural “Ronald Wilson Award for Music” presented at Carlisle Cathedral
The inaugural presentation of The Ronald Wilson Award for Music took place on Sunday 11 January 2026 at Carlisle Cathedral during Choral Eucharist. This new annual accolade celebrates the qualities that underpin the life and leadership of a young chorister at Carlisle Cathedral.
Developed collaboratively by the Cathedral clergy and the Director of Music, the award honours one boy and one girl chorister who exemplify commitment to the choir as shown by the following values:
- Attendance – demonstrating full participation in choir activities.
- Engagement – making the most of rehearsal time.
- Conduct – reflecting a deep understanding of the choir’s role in leading worship.
The winners of the very first Ronald Wilson Award for Music are Annie Alban and Thomas Mitchell.
The Revd Canon Pete Gunstone, Canon Precentor at Carlisle Cathedral said
“Commitment is the essential quality of being a chorister. The best choristers are team players who are committed to giving their best, enabling their chorister colleagues to do likewise, and pull together to sing with one voice. We are delighted that Annie and Thomas have been chosen by their chorister colleagues for this award. The Music Department staff were unanimous in ratifying their choice.
Congratulations to both and thank you for your commitment to the music and ministry here at Carlisle Cathedral”.
The presentation was made by Roger Wilson, in memory of his father, Ronald Wilson (d.2010, aged 85), a regular worshipper at Carlisle Cathedral and supporter of the clergy, whose funeral was held at the Cathedral. Ronald Wilson worked for Carlisle City council for 50 years. He was City Treasurer from 1972 until 1979 and Town Clerk and Chief Executive from 1979 until his retirement in 1990 when he was made an Honorary Freeman of the City.
On behalf of the family, Roger said, “We are delighted to be able to establish an endowment for the Cathedral choir in my father’s name. His life revolved around the City of Carlisle for half a century, something he regarded as a public service vocation rather than purely a career. It is intended this endowment and the recognition it bestows continues for many years to come and we hope encourages future generations of children to take up choral singing”
Future awards will be scheduled to be presented annually on Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost and 50 days after Easter. The congregation in attendance on Trinity Sunday will also have the opportunity to witness the Cathedral’s unique tradition of a roll call, a practice dating back to the statutes of 1545 and observed almost every year since.
Sponsor a Chorister
For generations, the Cathedral Choir has nurtured successive generations of local children to flourish as young musicians. This has been possible thanks to the generosity of individuals and foundations who support this work financially. Would you like to play a part in creating a vibrant, sustainable future for our choristers? A regular donation of £20 a month or more will sponsor a chorister and enable them to be nurtured in their role.
For further information, please visit www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/sponsor-a-chorister
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