St Paul's Cathedral Choir

St Paul's Cathedral Choir
Name	St Paul's Cathedral Choir
Origin	London, England
Founded	1127 (tradition); refounded 16th century (modern choral foundation)
Genre	Anglican church music, choral
Members	adult choir of choristers and lay clerks; boys formerly trebles; mixed treble reforms
Notable conductors	John Ross, Huw Williams, Barry Rose, Christopher Robinson
Notable associates	Sir John Stainer, Herbert Howells, Benjamin Britten, Benjamin Cosyn
Residence	St Paul's Cathedral, City of London
Website	Official choir page (Cathedral)

St Paul's Cathedral Choir

St Paul's Cathedral Choir is the resident liturgical choir of St Paul's Cathedral, a major Anglican foundation in the City of London. The choir has been associated with state occasions such as Coronation of the British monarch, national memorials like the World War I and World War II commemorations, and civic ceremonies including services at the Guildhall, London. Its repertoire and institutional continuity connect it to figures such as Benjamin Britten, Herbert Howells, and cathedral music traditions across the Church of England and Anglican Communion.

History

The choir traces roots to the medieval foundation of Old St Paul's Cathedral and the medieval chantry and liturgical practices recorded alongside the Domesday Book era church. Reorganization during the English Reformation and the reign of Henry VIII altered chantry endowments; subsequent survival through the Great Fire of London and the rebuilding by Sir Christopher Wren positioned the choir within the baroque architecture of the new St Paul's Cathedral (London). The choir’s role expanded during the Victorian era with musical reforms linked to figures from the Oxford Movement and liturgical revival influenced by John Keble and composers such as Sir John Stainer. In the 20th century the choir provided music for national moments including the Jubilee of Queen Victoria commemorations, the 1940s wartime services attended by Winston Churchill, and the Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana Spencer’s televised services. Directors across decades, including Barry Rose and Christopher Robinson, shaped repertoire and touring, while the choir collaborated with composers like Herbert Howells and Benjamin Britten on new works.

Organisation and Personnel

The choir operates as a cathedral foundation under the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral with a structure common to English cathedral choirs: a Director of Music supported by Organists, Assistant Organists, professional lay clerks (adult singers), and treble choristers. Recruitment historically drew choristers from Cathedral School systems and preparatory schools; recent reforms have linked the choir to wider educational partners including City of London School and local state schools. Staff figures often hold concurrent posts in institutions such as Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, while honorary patrons have included members of the British Royal Family and civic leaders from the City of London Corporation. The choir’s governance interacts with charities and trusts that support choral scholarships, bursaries and training programs.

Music and Repertoire

The choir’s liturgical cycle covers services from Evensong and Holy Communion to major festivals such as Eastertide, Christmas, and All Saints' Day. Repertoire spans English choral tradition—settings by Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, Henry Purcell—through to Romantic and modern works by Charles Villiers Stanford, Edward Bairstow, Herbert Howells, and Benjamin Britten. The choir commissions contemporary composers including John Rutter, Owain Park, and other contributors to Anglo-Catholic and ecumenical music. Instrumental collaborations have involved organists trained in traditions of St Albans International Organ Festival and ensembles tied to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and chamber groups from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Recordings and Broadcasts

Recordings with major labels and independent producers document the choir’s interpretations of liturgical and concert repertoire; sessions have been captured in studios and the acoustic of the Wren dome for discs featuring Byrd and Howells cycles. Broadcast partnerships with the BBC and international broadcasters have transmitted services and concerts, including televised state occasions and radio broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4’s religious programming. The choir has featured on soundtracks and collaborative projects with soloists from institutions such as Royal Opera House and ensembles like The Sixteen.

Tours and Outreach

Historic and contemporary tours have taken the choir to venues across Europe, North America, and Australasia; past itineraries included performances in St Mark's Basilica, Notre-Dame de Paris, Washington National Cathedral, and festival appearances at the Three Choirs Festival. Outreach programs engage communities in the City of London and beyond through education workshops with partners such as the London Symphony Orchestra's community initiatives and collaborations with youth choirs at institutions like Guildford School of Acting and local state schools. The choir often participates in civic commemorations and ecumenical services with groups from the Roman Catholic Church and international Anglican cathedrals.

Training and Education

Training pathways combine in-house tuition, weekly chorister rehearsals, and formal music education tied to schools and conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music. Chorister scholarships and voice coaching include instruction in sight-singing, aural skills, and organ studies led by professionals connected to the Association of English Cathedrals network. Career development for lay clerks and choral scholars has led alumni into posts at institutions including Westminster Abbey, the BBC Singers, and university choral programs at University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.

Category:English choirs Category:Choirs of the City of London