On Tuesday 12 May, the Cathedral Choir had the privilege of singing at St Paul’s Cathedral for the 371st Clergy Support Trust Festival Service. They joined the Cathedral Choirs of St Paul’s and Blackburn, and together under the Dome they sang Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens, filling the cathedral with sound, under the direction of Andrew Carwood MBE, Director of Music at St Paul’s.

As part of the service, each choir had the opportunity to sing a piece on its own. Our Cathedral Choir sang Victoria’s brilliant Laudate Dominum to praise from the preacher, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who drew together the themes of the occasion very effectively in her sermon.

 The Dean and Precentor were privileged to join the clergy procession, and the processions were skilfully virged by some familiar faces: Rachael and Mike from the St Albans team, our former Head Virger Joe Kennedy, and members of the Blackburn and St Paul’s vestries.

The Clergy Support Trust offers grants to clergy and their families who are facing challenges, and has provided financial support to one fifth of clergy households in the last year. As part of the service, compelling testimonies were heard from those who had received support, praising the Trust’s work. It was wonderful to be able to support their work through our involvement in the service.

The Choristers represented St Albans well throughout the day. The Year 6s came straight from sitting a SATs paper and, along with the rest of the choir, worked very hard throughout the rehearsals and the service. We are very proud of our Cathedral Choir and Music Department for representing us on such an important occasion.

Our thanks go to the chaperones, parents and schools who, in partnership, enabled our choristers to share in such a special experience.