In several previous years we have sung Choral Evensong in St Albans Cathedral on the Saturday after Christmas. In 2019 we did so again on Saturday 28th December.

There was a preparatory rehearsal in St Paul’s Hoddesdon in November and most singers were able to be there. This was taken by Christopher Muhley of St Albans.

On Dec 28th at 1 pm, we met in the Offa Room (formerly known as the Crypt) of St Albans Cathedral to rehearse the music for Evensong. At 2.30 we moved to the Quire and spent 20 minutes sorting out how to process (48 singers) into and out of the pews/stalls with dignity! We then continued our rehearsal, and were able to have the support of the organ. Mitch Farquharson was our splendid organist. His home is in the EHCCA area but he was organ scholar at Chichester Cathedral and is now organ scholar at Kings College London.

Nearly 50 singers took part and that included a number of girls and boys. Derek Harrison who was directing, commented “I was very proud of what EHCCA achieved and the high standard of singing in the service. Not only was care taken with the detail of the music but also the singing was musical.” The Dean, The Very Rev Dr Jeffrey John, was complimentary about the singing and interested in the Association.

The music for the service was : Responses: Anthony Wilson / Psalm 123 / Canticles: Stanford in B flat / Anthem: Rutter – Candlelight Carol

Director: Derek Harrison. Organist: Mitchell Farquharson