St Mary's Cathedral

Music

The Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir has been in its present form since 2000, under the direction of Howard Baker (1954-2017). With the Cathedral organist, David Allison, we sing weekly at the 11.30am Sunday Mass and at other liturgies throughout the year. We are an RSCM affiliated choir. Our repertoire covers the whole range of Catholic music, from the earliest Latin plainsong to modern religious songs, and we tackle a variety of pieces of the Church’s traditional polyphony. Our main aim, however, is to provide a lead for the congregation’s participation in singing the Mass. We practise on Fridays from 5.30 to 7.15 pm.

Choir Leaders: Bronwen Calvert and Rob Edwards
Choir Librarian: Geraldine Haddow
Contact the Cathedral Choir: choir@stmaryscathedral.org.uk

If you are interested in joining the choir, would you please speak to the Cathedral Office in the first instance (office@stmaryscathedral.org.uk). You’re welcome to come and see one of the choir team to organise a voice test, after 10.00 or 11.30 Sunday Mass.


The Cathedral Choir 2018


At the Carol Concert 2019


At the Carol Concert 2019


At the Carol Concert 2019


 

Listen to St Mary's Cathedral Choir sing:

Lent and Easter

‘Thine be the glory’ —words: E L Budry, trans. R B Hoyle; music: Maccabaeus, G F Handel

'Faithful Cross’ —words: Kevin Nichols (1929-2006), priest-poet of St Mary's Cathedral, from Decryptions, published at the Cathedral in April 2006; music: Au sang qu’un Dieu, French traditional melody adapted by Giovanni Pergolesi

Lord Jesus, think on me’ —words: Bishop Synesius (375-430), trans. A W Chatfield; music: Southwell, adapted from a melody in William Damon's Psalmes in English Metre, 1579

 

Advent and Christmas

Vox Clamantis in Deserto (A Voice cries out in the Desert)—music: Diego de las Muelas (1698–1743)

 

Rorate Caeli— Entry Antiphon for 4th Sunday of Advent; music: Arr. from Christopher Tye (1505)

 

O Come all ye Faithful

 

While Shepherds watched their Flocks by Night

 

Hark the Herald Angels sing

Howard Baker (1954-2017)

Howard Baker was Director of Music at the Cathedral from 2000 to 2017. In addition to his significant contribution to St Mary’s musical life, he oversaw many important events, including the visit of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (2002) and the construction of the Tickell organ (completed in 2013).