S. Alban's is fortunate to have a committed mixed-voice choir who sing each Sunday (except the first Sunday of the month) at the 9.30 a.m. Solemn Mass, and at special holy day Masses which fall during the week. In addition to leading the hymns and plainchant Propers, the choir try to provide a choral Mass setting each week from a repertory that, following the traditional Anglo-Catholic worship traditions of the church, includes much early music. The choir also normaly sings a motet at each Mass, again drawing repertoire from S. Alban's extensive library of early music and traditional Anglo-Catholic works.
 

Mass settings include Haydn's Little Organ Mass, Byrd's Mass for Four Voices, Sumsion's Mass in F and Wood's Mass in the Phrygian Mode. In March 2000 our Evensong at S. Philip's Cathedral included Purcell's Evening Service in G Minor and Byrd's Ave Verum.
 

The annual S. Alban's festival has provided a number of opportunities for choral performance, including Elgar's O Salutaris and [de Sévérac's] Tantum Ergo at Compline. In 1999, liturgical works performed included Howell's Jubilate and Brewer's Evening Service.
 

S. Alban's choir has made an important contribution to musical performance locally, performing liturgical music to a high standard in its true context and setting. New singers are always made welcome in the choir, and we are always interested in hearing from singers who would like to join us or learn more about our music. Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings at 9.00 a.m. prior to the 9.30 a.m. Mass.

Currently the choir share a Director of Music as part of the Partnership with S Agatha’s and S Barnabas’ churches, but numbers have fallen. Joint choir practice with members of all churches take place every week and it is hoped to eventually build the choir back up to strength.

If you are interested in joining the choir, or would like to find out more,
please contact, initially, the Churchwarden:

Edward Fellows
Telephone:  (0121) 777 1120

edward.fellows@blueyonder.co.uk