St Albans Cathedral Choir has returned from a five-day tour of Cologne, performing in some of Germany’s most striking churches while sampling the cultural, culinary—and occasionally aquatic—wonders of the Rhineland. 

At the heart of the tour were three concerts, each in a unique sacred space with a distinctive acoustic. First was St Josef Church in Porz, a suburb a short tram journey from the centre of Cologne. 

T The Choir in St Josef, Porz

One of the roses given to the singers after their concert

The church was constructed in 1911 in the Gothic Revival style, further revived after Allied bombing in the Second World War.  After an afternoon rehearsing in the very smart parish community hub, where the choir were kindly (and thoroughly) refreshed by their hosts, the evening concert was well attended despite a downpour. Locals and choir parents were treated to a varied programme ranging from Taverner to Dove, and Byrd to MacMillan. A standing ovation and a presentation of roses to each choir member prompted an encore, a piece by Peter Hurford in true St Albans style. Following the concert, the choir had a traditional German meal on the banks of the Rhine with a view over the city, with all enjoying the local delicacies typical of Spargelzeit!

Altenberger Dom

The choir receiving applause in Altenberg

Nestled in the serene valley of the Dhünn River near Odenthal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Altenberg Cathedral—commonly known as Altenberger Dom—was the next venue. Amongst its many treasures are its magnificent west window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in Germany, and its Klais organ. Its Spanish trumpets were brought to life triumphantly by Mr Rees for Finzi's God is gone up, a searing concert opener that was well received by a lingering Sunday congregation.

The end of the final concert in Wuppertal

Mr Rees receiving his applause after another fine performance on the organ

Wuppertal’s neo-Romanesque Unterbarmer Hauptkirche offered a striking contrast, with the choir and organist having to adapt yet again to a markedly different acoustic and instrument. Its light, wooden interior along with the Schuke organ created a more intimate final concert of the tour.

“There was serious musical concentration throughout the tour,” said Will Fox, Director of Music. “The boys rose to the challenge admirably.”

Choristers out exploring Cologne

An educational afternoon at the chocolate factory

Beyond the music, the itinerary offered time to explore Cologne’s Roman roots and modern edges. The choir’s base for the trip was the Cologne-Deutz Youth Hostel, perfectly situated for explorations of the historic city. Highlights included a visit to the soaring twin spires of Cologne Cathedral, a tour of the city’s Roman and post-war heritage, and a surprisingly informative afternoon at the Lindt Chocolate Museum.

Choristers and music staff bracing themselves for another turn on the rapids

Spinning dry as the sun came out

The liveliest cultural offering came at Phantasialand, where choristers embraced the park’s rides with typical gusto. “We went on many thrilling rollercoasters, gentle flat rides and some extremely wet and soaking river rapids - we got absolutely drenched which all made us laugh a lot,” one chorister commented. "After all of our hard work, it was the perfect moment to laugh together as a group."

The tour combined discipline and delight, offering choristers the chance to deepen their musicianship while enjoying one another’s company outside the close order of rehearsals. Whether singing Byrd beneath a vaulted ceiling or laughing in a rollercoaster queue, the boys moved through the tour with focus, humour, and energy. 

Choir tours serve not simply as performance opportunities, but as essential moments in a chorister’s musical and personal development. Adapting to new acoustics, unfamiliar instruments, and different audiences demands musical flexibility and focus. Just as importantly, shared experiences beyond the choir stalls build the trust and camaraderie that underpin ensemble performance. As ambassadors for both the Cathedral and the English choral tradition, the choristers carried their music with maturity, warmth, and no small amount of joy. This tour could not have happened with a huge amount of work, the choir being particularly grateful to all those who took part in the fundraising and organising. Director Will Fox said, "We are most grateful to everyone who made this venture possible. Tours such as these are hugely memorable experiences, especially for our choristers."

As the coach returned to the Cathedral on Tuesday evening, there was a quiet sense that something meaningful had taken place. The tour had deepened the understanding of the music, strengthened the friendships, and proved that even the most angelic chorister or professional adult can still squeal on a log flume.

 📷 the Revd Vanessa Jefferson and Louise Mayhew