Partnership Events with Dunstable Priory

We were delighted to launch our Lady Chapel series of Lunchtime Live concerts with a recital of musical reflections last month. The Cathedral’s Youth Choir was joined by singers from the Choir of Dunstable Priory and their director, Chloë Allison.  

The joint recital brought together young singers from across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, who sang a variety of works as a combined choir, as individual choirs, and as soloists. The programme spanned centuries and traditions, including the plainsong Ubi caritas and Steal Away.  

In addition to the choral works, the audience enjoyed four solo songs: Mourn! Mourn!, Linden Lea, Sommerabend, and Ich will dir mein Herze schenken. 

The communities at the Cathedral and Dunstable Priory are hugely proud of the skills of our young musicians and grateful for the work they commit to their ongoing development and to the musical life of our churches.  

Dewi Rees, Assistant Director of Music and Partnerships, said: ‘It is a pleasure working with such talented and enthusiastic young people. The high standard of musicianship and commitment we heard shows that, with support and opportunities, our young musicians can go on to achieve great musical and non-musical success in their adult lives.’ 

William Fox, Director of Music, said: It was fantastic to see a capacity audience in the Lady Chapel for our first lunchtime concert of this type. We have been delighted to see our new Monday recital series attract such support and interest, and look forward to seeing this flourish in the years to come – there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

This recital is part of our wider work to provide musical and educational opportunities to young people in our diocese that include a recent music morning at Dunstable Priory for pupils from St Augustine’s Academy. Pupils learned songs with Dewi Rees, played the Priory’s pipe organ, and took part in a WOOFYT workshop, which allows pupils to work as a team to build their own organ, learning musical, science, and design technology skills in the process. 

Please join us for our Lunchtime Live recital series, which runs throughout the year. You can also attend our Summer Organ Festival series, our Family Music Day on 27 July, and our Give it a Go organ course for pianists age 10-16. 

We are grateful for work of the St Albans Cathedral Music Trust, which supports our music-making in the Cathedral and in the diocese.

 Donate to the Trust’s Excellence for Everyone Campaign.