St Albans Cathedral Choir consists of up to 24 boys between the ages of 8-14 and is directed by Andrew Lucas, Master of the Music. It is regarded as one of the finest Cathedral Choirs in the country. Each week the boys rehearse six times and sing five services. For three weekend services they are joined by up to twelve Lay Clerks – professional musicians who sing the lower parts.

Becoming a chorister means joining a musical heritage which stretches back to the Cathedral’s monastic roots. There is no residential choir school: the choristers are drawn from local schools. Weekday rehearsals therefore take place before or after school.

In addition to the daily round of choral services, the Choir also takes part in concerts, tours, broadcasts and recordings. In recent years the Choir has visited the USA, the Netherlands, Italy (3 times), Spain, Germany and Sweden (twice). It has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, the Fairfield Halls and Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and has given live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC One. It has also given the first performances of works by Alec Roth and Joanna Marsh. The choir has made recordings on the Naxos label including two discs of music by John Rutter and Masses by Mozart. In 2022 they recorded the motets of Bruckner for First Hand Records (FHR143).  The Gramophone reviewer say the “three dozen singers are on impressive form, combining tonal beauty with sheer stamina… This splendid new release will take some supplanting” (Gramophone ‘Editor’s Choice’ & Gramophone ‘Critics’ Choice’ 2023)

Becoming a Chorister

• Boys normally join the choir at the beginning of Year 4 
• As members of the choir, they receive a first-class musical education
• Choristers make new friends from different schools

The choir's director, Andrew Lucas is always pleased to hear about potential applicants. To discuss an audition or to find out more please contact the Music Department by email

Click here to download more details. 

Choir News

In June this year the choir released a new album of music by Anton Bruckner, which has quickly become critically acclaimed. You can buy the CD of the album in the Cathedral shop, online through First Hand Records, or it can be streamed on most platforms.

Photo © Juliet McGrory