St Albans Cathedral Choir
St Albans Cathedral Choir
Under their current director, Andrew Lucas, the choir has maintained an enviable standard and reputation. They perform a wide repertoire including new compositions. They have toured Sweden, Normandy and Italy, and performed in music festivals in The Netherlands (Haarlem) and France (Angers). In 2006 they toured the east coast of the USA. The choir will be touring Sweden again in May 2011.
The choir has made many CD recordings over the last three decades, including in recent years discs of music by Stanford (Priory Records) Christmas Music and a disc of German Romantic Choral and Organ music (Lammas). Their recording with St Albans Abbey Girls Choir is due for release at the end of March 2011.
Cathedral Choir (Boys) Schedule
Boys are usually admitted to the choir as Probationers from the age of seven. Probationers over the age of 9 are not normally appointed, although in cases of exceptional musical ability and previous choral experience, this rule is flexible. Boys usually leave the choir in the summer term of their fourteenth birthday (school Year 9), unless by prior agreement (e.g. when a voice breaks earlier).
As a Probationer, each boy receives detailed and individual vocal training, lessons in sight singing, and many opportunities to observe the Choristers at work, both in practices and services. The probationary period usually lasts for a year, but it can be shorter or longer, depending on the individual's progress and age. There are professional singing teachers employed by the cathedral for the choristers and probationers.
Schedule
(Probationers only attend at times marked with an asterisk)
Sunday
*10.15am to 12.20pm - Matins or Solemn Eucharist is sung at 11.15am. (They also sing some of the 9.30 Parish Eucharists, usually twice a term).
5.40 to 7.50pm - Evensong is sung at 6.30pm.
Monday
*7.40 to 8.25am
*4.00 to 5.40pm - Evensong is sung at 5.00pm.
Tuesday and *Thursday
Same timetable as Monday.
(Probationers do not attend on Tuesdays)
Friday
6.45 to 8.45pm - Rehearsal for the weekend - the men (Lay Clerks) join this rehearsal at 7.45pm.
Saturday
2.15 to 5.00pm - Rehearsal from 2.15 to 3.40pm.
Evensong is sung at 4.00pm.
A choir diary is published each term, and lists any timing changes, extra events & services, and also highlights any forthcoming dates.
For further details, or to discuss an audition, please contact the Music Department
Tel: 01727 890245
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it