A Hertfordshire choral charity has outlined its ambitions to raise £2.75m to create an internationally renowned inclusive music programme as it prepares to celebrate a milestone birthday.

St Albans Cathedral Music Trust, an independent charity which financially supports music at the cathedral, hosted its first patrons’ conference at Sopwell House prior to its upcoming 30^th anniversary celebrations in the autumn.

Chairman of the Trust, Lionel Wallace DL, said: “Our patrons’ conference was a great opportunity to extend the network. The Trust is passionate about ensuring a thriving and financially stable musical life at the cathedral and is committed to supporting a 21st-century music department recognised for excellence, while staying connected to the local community.”

The Trust’s forthcoming five-year campaign, Excellence for Everyone aims to raise more than £2.75 million by 2030.

“To us, cathedral music is more than performance. It shapes lives, develops confidence, fosters inclusion and brings people together. We believe that this music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, and we look forward in supporting the Cathedral Music Department programme, to seeing the anticipated impact in the lives of people all over the community as the campaign moves forward.”

During the conference, director of music at the cathedral, William Fox, introduced attendees to the impact support from the music trust continues to have on the lives of those in the various choirs and music groups at the cathedral. The network being built with schools, in particular, continues to build a strong foundation for sharing music with a wider group of people, and that the cathedral remains a national leader in music excellence.

The campaign, which is the most ambitious in the Trust’s history, has two primary objectives: to ensure the cathedral’s music programme is sustainable, inclusive and nationally and internationally recognised for excellence; and to take the music beyond the cathedral’s walls to engage, educate and inspire communities throughout Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. The campaign will see the launch of a far-reaching and sustained partnerships programme to fund choir places, grow outreach and secure the long-term future of cathedral music across the diocese.

St Albans Cathedral has been home to extraordinary music for more than a thousand years. With world-renowned choirs operating in the cathedral, a Harrison and Harrison organ and a busy programme of musical events and concerts, music is central to the life and worship of the Cathedral.

Unlike many other UK cathedrals, St Albans has no historical endowment to support its music. The Trust provides financial support to sustain the cathedral’s music programme and ensure it continues to thrive.

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