Please feel free to copy sections of this document for distribution to your choir members and organist.

Updated March 2008

CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS / EMAIL

Minor Canon (Liturgy): (01727) 890207
mcl@stalbanscathedral.org.uk

Music Secretary: (01727) 890245
music@stalbanscathedral.org.uk

Dean’s PA: (01727) 890202
deansec@stalbanscathedral.org.uk
Dean’s PA’s fax: (01727) 890227

Refectory Manager: (01727) 890214
cafe@stalbanscathedral.org.uk

Cathedral switchboard: (01727) 860780 Fax: (01727) 850944

Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban
Sumpter Yard
St Albans AL1 1BY

www: stalbanscathedral.org.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

It is a real pleasure to welcome the many visiting choirs - from parish churches, cathedrals, schools, colleges, universities and independent groups – who come from near and far to help us maintain the sung worship of the cathedral through the year.

We hope that you will enjoy your visit and derive inspiration from joining in a tradition of daily choral singing which dates back to the early Middle Ages; as we in turn are refreshed by the variety, different traditions and styles of singing you bring.

These notes are intended to help you to feel clear and relaxed about the necessary arrangements for preparing and ordering our services, and other practical matters.

We are most grateful for the gift of your time and talent to help us; and we hope you will be blessed by your joining with us to sing God’s praise in this ancient and beautiful place.

Jeffrey John

THE ALBAN PRAYER 

Almighty God,
we thank you for this place
built to your glory and in memory of Alban, our first martyr.
Following his example in the fellowship of the Saints,
may we worship and adore the true and living God,
and be faithful witnesses to the Christ,
who is alive and reigns now and forever. Amen

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL

Ever since Saint Alban (the first Christian Martyr in Britain) was martyred in the middle of the third century, worship has been offered to God on the site of his execution, where the Cathedral and Abbey Church now stands.

Soon after Alban’s death the site became a place of pilgrimage, and then in 793 King Offa of Mercia founded the Benedictine monastery. After the Norman Conquest a new Abbey Church was started in 1077, using brick from the deserted Roman City of Verulamium.

The monastic life flourished until 1539 when the monasteries were dissolved by King Henry VIII. The great Abbey Church was saved by the people of St. Albans who bought it for £400 as their parish church. Since that time it has continued to be a lively parish church and, in addition, has served as the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of St Albans since 1877 when a new diocese was formed out of the Diocese of Rochester

SERVICE TIMES

Worship is the central activity of the Cathedral.

GUIDED TOURS

Take place daily in the Cathedral. If you wish to book a tour for your group, please contact the the Cathedral Office
(tel 01727 890200) at least two weeks in advance of your visit.

ARRANGING DATES TO SING AT THE ABBEY

First, contact the Music Secretary to discuss dates. The Diary is planned at least a year in advance, but it is always worth contacting us at any time to discuss availability. We may ask to hear a recording of the choir in advance, especially prior to their first visit here. Dates are offered on a provisional basis and should then be confirmed in writing. Please ensure you provide us with a postal contact address. Once confirmed, please send in details of your music to the Minor Canon (Liturgy) for approval at least two months before your visit. One month in advance the Minor Canon (Liturgy) will supply details of hymns and psalms.

CATHEDRAL ORGAN

The Harrison & Harrison organ has been removed for complete refurbishment and will be back for Easter 2009. There are two, two-manual electronic Rodgers organs, which have been installed in the Quire, and in the Nave for the intervening period.

SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR VISITING CHOIRS

All services are sung in the Quire.

1. Term-time
   Our own choirs cover the majority of term-time services. It is sometimes possible to sing Evensong on a weekday during term-time by arrangement with the Master of the Music and the Minor Canon (Liturgy).
2. Cathedral Choir holiday periods
   Choir holidays generally correspond with school holidays and half-terms. The Summer holiday usually lasts from about the end of the third week in July until the end of the first or second week in September. During this period all sung services are available to visiting choirs – Weekday Evensong at 5.00pm, Saturday Evensong at 4.00pm, Sunday Matins (or Choral Eucharist) at 11.15am and Evensong at 6.30pm.
   
   There is usually a two or three week holiday period immediately after Christmas and Easter, as well as a half-term holiday of a week or so each term. At half-terms, Sunday Evensong is replaced by a Taizé-style service, for which no choir is required.
   
   Choirs are welcome for weekends, a week or just a day.
   
3. Weddings
   If you are singing on a Saturday, you may be offered the opportunity to sing at a wedding (usually hymns, psalm, anthem). In such cases, the Minor Canon (Liturgy) will contact you.

CHOICE OF MUSIC

Matins / Evensong : responses, canticles, anthem
Choral Eucharist : mass setting, motet

Details should be sent in writing to the Minor Canon (Liturgy) two months before your visit. Any music from the established church music repertoire is acceptable, including music by well-known contemporary composers.Performance of own compositions and local settings is discouraged: any request to sing such pieces must be approved by the Master of the Music. The Minor Canon (Liturgy) and music staff are happy to discuss repertoire with you. We suggest you choose well-known Responses as not all officiants can sight-sing. Occasionally we may ask you to provide a cantor.

PSALMS & HYMNS

• Psalms
  We use our own cycle of psalms and details will always be sent, although the choice of chants is up to you. The Coverdale (BCP) version of the words is used. We omit bracketed verses.
  
• Venite (Matins only)
  Visiting choirs should use one of the cathedral chants and the cathedral pointing; a copy is available from the Music Secretary.
  
• Hymns
  are selected by the Minor Canon (Liturgy) from Common Praise and the Music Secretary can supply copies of the individual hymns. Choirs should reproduce the copies they need from the sheet provided, as harmony hymn books are not available for use by visiting choirs. Please note that all verses of all hymns should be sung by the full choir and should be accompanied by the organ.
  
• Anthems/Motets
  should be suitable for the liturgical season. We recognise that not all visiting choirs are from churches, and are happy to advise on suitable repertoire. The Music Secretary will advise you if your visit coincides with a particular festival.

WHERE TO STAY

St Albans has no choir school. Local hotels may offer a competitive group rate; the local Tourist Information Office (01727 864511) can supply contact numbers or look up the website: www.stalbans.gov.uk

• The Comfort Hotel, Holywell Hill (01727 848849) is very close to the Cathedral.
• Quality Hotel, 234 London Road (01727 857858) is approximately a 5-10 minute drive/20 minute walk away.

There are two other possibilities for accommodation, both about a 20 minutes drive:

1. All Saints Pastoral Centre
   Conference Office, Shenley Lane, London Colney, St Albans, Herts AL2 1AF
   Tel: 01727 822010, email: conf.office@allsaintspc.org.uk
   www.allsaintspc.org.uk
   
2. The Conference Manager
   University of Hertfordshire, Fielder Centre,
   Hatfield Business Centre, Hatfield Avenue, Hatfield,
   Herts AL10 9AB
   Tel: 01707 284841, email: u.h.hospitality@herts.ac.uk
   [providing full board and lodging or self-catering facilities.]

PARKING

Parking in the Abbey precincts is very limited, and therefore restricted to those with a parking permit. Two car parking permits can be provided for Sumpter Yard, on request, if space is available. Otherwise choirs should allow time to find space to park elsewhere.

Coach drivers may be able to stop briefly on Holywell Hill, traffic conditions permitting, to drop off and then park at Westminster Lodge, at the bottom of Holywell Hill, where there is plenty of room.

ON THE DAY

On arrival, please report to the duty Virger (office next to the Bookstall in the South Transept) as soon as you arrive. He will give you the necessary keys and show you to the relevant places. He will also want to rehearse the processions with you. We cannot always accommodate people/belongings arriving substantially before the booked rehearsal times. If you wish to arrive early, please book somewhere to leave your luggage and/or rehearse with the Dean's PA.

REHEARSALS

Choirs will automatically be booked in for the use of the Cathedral as follows:

Additional rehearsals may be negotiated with the Dean's PA.

On Sundays there is little time before the 11.15am service since the previous service does not usually finish until 10.40am. Choirs are welcome to sing in the Abbey from 10.40am, but those singing on Sunday only will have only the briefest opportunity to rehearse in situ with the organ, and may wish to bear that in mind when choosing music for the 11.15 am Matins/Choral Eucharist service.

The Song School, at the top of the Chapter House, is usually available during the Cathedral Choirs’ holiday time for storing books and music, robing and rehearsing. Please respect the piano, robes, music etc you may find there as you would your own. Please don’t consume any food or drink there. Occasionally, choirs may be allocated the Crypt, which has an electric piano. Outside the rehearsal times above, please book your use of the room with the Dean's PA, so that any Cathedral staff who may need to access the room can avoid disturbing you. Please make sure you secure the doors when leaving the room and we advise you not to leave any valuables unattended.

Organist
We anticipate that visiting choirs will make arrangements to bring an organist with them. Organists wishing to practice at times other than those indicated above are welcome to do so, but must book their rehearsal times in the cathedral through the Dean'sPA.

Children
We expect visiting choirs to comply with the Cathedral’s Child Protection Policy, a copy of which is available for inspection from the Music Secretary. For choirs which contain both adults and children, this will mean that adults should have an enhanced CRB disclosure. The Cathedral expects all visiting choirs to ensure adequate care and supervision of any children who are with them.

TEA

We are happy to provide tea (or squash) and biscuits free of charge for a maximum of 35 people. Please indicate numbers and timing when you confirm your music details so that we can make the necessary arrangements. On Sundays, teas are provided by voluntary groups and occasionally they may not be available.

BEFORE THE SERVICE

Before any service, please give a copy of your chosen anthem and responses to the Minor Canon (Liturgy). Please check with the officiating priest about any alternatives in the responses.

Five minutes before the service the choir lines up on the Chapter House bridge outside the Kell Room ready to proceed down the Michael Stair to the Quire. Before processing, the Minor Canon (Liturgy) or officiating priest says a prayer. A Virger will lead the procession. The choir stalls are entered from the west end. The choir should not face east to reverence the altar but proceed directly to places and face each other.

At the end of the service the clergy recess first, followed by the choir, in reverse order, and return to the Chapter House bridge for the dismissal:

V. The Lord be with you
R. And with thy spirit
V. Let us bless the Lord
R. Thanks be to God
V. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace
R. And rise in glory. Amen.

ROBES

If possible, choirs should wear cassock and surplice, although if this is not possible, other suitable dress will be quite acceptable. RSCM medals may be worn by those who have them.

AFTER THE SERVICE

The Cathedral normally closes at 6.00pm Monday-Saturday and 8.00pm on Sundays. Please gather up your belongings promptly to avoid any delay for the virgers in closing the building. Your co-operation in this is encouraged, and much appreciated.

Lost Property
If you discover you have left anything behind (or taken something of ours by mistake!), please contact the Virgers in the first instance on 01727 890209, email virgers@stalbanscathedral.org.uk

ORDERS OF SERVICE

Some features of all our services are peculiar to St. Albans:

WEEKDAY EVENSONG

Welcome to congregation by officiant
Responses (Officiant may need organ note)
Psalm(s) (announced by the officiant)
First Lesson
Hymn(announced)
Magnificat
Second Lesson
Nunc Dimittis
Creed(turn to face East)
Responses and Collects (Officiant may need organ note. Congregation kneels between ‘and with thy spirit’ and ‘Let us pray’). The Lord’s Prayer is usually sung and we use the form ‘Our Father, Who art in heaven …’)
Prayers (officiant) The choir should kneel for a short series of prayers ending with
The Grace (said together by all) ‘The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore, Amen’.
Anthem (announced)
Voluntary follows immediately after the anthem.

SUNDAY MATINS

Welcome
Invitation to Confession
Confession (All kneel)
Absolution (stand at end)
Responses (Officiant may need organ note)
Venite (Unannounced; omit bracketed verses. This is sung by the whole congregation; please use the pointing and one of the chants provided.)
Psalm/s (announced)
First Lesson
Hymn (announced)
Te Deum (Benedicite or Lamentations in Lent)
Second Lesson
Jubilate (or Benedictus)
Creed (turn to face East)
Responses and Collects (Officiant may need organ note. Congregation kneels between ‘and with thy spirit’ and ‘Let us pray’)
Anthem (announced)
Sermon follows immediately after the Anthem. (Choir should remain standing after the Anthem until the preacher has said his opening prayer and then sit.)
Prayers (all kneel)
Hymn (announced)
Blessing
Voluntary

SUNDAY EVENSONG

Welcome
Invitation to Confession
Confession (all kneel)
Absolution (stand at end)
Responses (Officiant may need organ note)
Psalms (announced by the officiant)
First Lesson
Hymn(announced)
Magnificat
Second Lesson
Nunc Dimittis
Creed (turn to face East)
Responses and Collects (Officiant may need organ note Congregation kneels between ‘and with thy spirit’ and ‘Let us pray’)
Anthem (announced)
Sermon follows immediately after the Anthem. (Choir should remain standing after the Anthem until the preacher has said his opening prayer and then sit.)
Prayers (all kneel)
Hymn (announced) The organist may need to extemporise at the end until the collection has been taken.
Blessing (All kneel)
Voluntary

ORDER OF SERVICE FOR CHORAL EUCHARIST

A separate sheet with information for organists will be sent to you in advance. You will find an annotated Order of Service and full music version of the Creed by the organ console.

The choir lines up on the Chapter House bridge before the service and is joined by the clergy. Cross, lights and thurifer wait at the bottom of the Michael stair in the South Transept. Prayer said by Celebrant. Choir is virged in ahead of the altar party to stalls from West End. The choir should not face East, but proceed directly to places & face each other. Once in place the organist should begin the playover for the opening hymn.

Introit Hymn (unannounced). Organist may need to extemporise at end of hymn to cover censing of altar.
Greeting (said) ‘The Lord be with you’; ‘and with thy spirit’
Collect for Purity
Confession (Deacon introduces first line)
Kyries (sung by the choir)
Absolution (Celebrant)
Gloria (sung by the choir); omitted during Advent and Lent
Collect for the day Organist give an A for this. At end Celebrant finishes on leading note e.g. A - G sharp. All sing ‘Amen’ e.g. G sharp - A.
Epistle (read by Sub Deacon; all sit)
Gradual Psalm (sung by choir and unannounced). No Gloria at the end. This is immediately followed by an acclamation, usually an alleluia. Beginning on a F (see separate sheet), it usually takes the form of alleluia-verse-repeat of alleluia. In Advent and Lent the alleluia is replaced with the acclamation ‘Praise to thee O Christ, king of eternal Glory’ (see sheet).
The organ should then give a B flat for the introduction and response to the Gospel (on sheet – accompanied).
Gospel (sung by Deacon from Presbytery steps) Organist please give note for Deacon, who sings ‘The Lord be with you’ / ‘and with thy spirit’. After the Gospel is announced all sing: ‘Glory be to thee, O Lord’. At the end of the Gospel all sing ‘Praise be to thee, O Christ’. in response to the Deacon’s ‘This is the gospel of the Lord’. (For both organist comes in straight away with chord and congregation and choir joins in immediately thereafter).
Homily (Deacon from Pulpit; all sit)
When homily is finished Altar party returns to Sanctuary (organist extemporises quietly just to get them back)
Creed (sung facing East: to the setting by Merbecke) Organist plays over ‘I believe in one God’ for the Celebrant
Intercessions (all kneel)
Peace All stand immediately at end of Intercessions:
     Celebrant: ‘The peace of the Lord be always with you’
     Congregation: ‘And with thy Spirit’
Offertory Hymn (unannounced). Organist extemporises at end of hymn to cover censing of elements, Altar, Sanctuary party and congregation. NB – This takes a long time: the thurifer will come to the top of the Presbytery steps to cense the congregation in the Crossing & Quire. Choir members should bow to the thurifer in response to his/her bow.
Sursum Corda Organist gives appropriate notes for Celebrant e.g. FGAF
Preface (sung by Celebrant)
Sanctus and Benedictus(Choir)
Eucharistic Prayer with sung Dresden Amen
The Lord’s Prayer (said, introduced by Celebrant)
Breaking of the Bread (Celebrant)
Invitation to Communion
Agnus Dei Choir, straight in after Invitation to Communion (after prayer ‘we do not presume…’ in Advent & Lent).
Distribution of Holy Communion (A virger will usher the choir forward to receive communion; choir then returns via side aisles and under organ loft to places).
Motet
Prayer after Communion (led by Celebrant)
Blessing
Dismissal (sung by Deacon – organist please give note)
Voluntary

All process out to Chapter House: Servers, then Altar party. Choir is virged out after celebrant.