What s On St Albans Cathedral

Transcription

1 What s On St Albans Cathedral January April 2017 Includes Holy Week & Easter (C) Luke Watson Music Tours Family Fun Easter Number One St Albans Visitor Attraction

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3 A Warm Welcome Awaits You at St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral stands over the place where Alban, Britain s first saint, was buried after giving his life for his faith over 1700 years ago. There are many unique sights to take in when you visit the Cathedral, plus an exciting programme of events, tours and concerts which you can find out about in this guide. We look forward to seeing you soon. Contents Page 4-5 Top Ten Highlights 6-9 Music 10 Special Services Holy Week & Easter 14 The Alban Pilgrimage Family Fun Special Events 18 Tours 19 Exhibitions Talks & Education 22 Visitor Information 23 Our Regular Services Occasionally additional services and events will be added at short notice please check the website for updates or call Information is correct at time of going to print. For all the latest news on the Cathedral s plans, sign up to our Alban, Britain s First Saint blog: albanbritainsfirstsaint.wordpress.com

4 Top Ten Highlights 1 The Shrine of Saint Alban The Shrine of Saint Alban is a site of national Pilgrimage and people have been coming here for over 1700 years. It is used as a place of prayer and stillness by visitors every day. 2 The Longest Nave in England At 85 metres, St Albans Cathedral has the longest nave in England. 3 Easter at the Cathedral Join us for special services during Holy Week and Easter, which this year falls on Sunday 16th April. See pages for the information on services at this special time. 4 The Watching Loft From the Watching Loft, monks and townsmen kept guard over Alban s Shrine. 5 Stunning Medieval Wall Paintings The Cathedral has one of the oldest and most extensive series of medieval wall paintings surviving today, ranging from the late 12th century to the 16th century. 6 The Bell Tower St Albans is the only major church in England with a great crossing tower of the 11th century still standing. 7 Choral Evensong Time your visit to enjoy the beautiful singing of the Cathedral Choirs at Evensong. Tuesday to Friday 5pm. Saturday 4pm. Sunday 6.30pm. Outside of term time, there may be a visiting choir or short said service. 8 The Lady Chapel This 14th century extension to the church is dedicated to Mary the Mother of Jesus. 9 The Rose Window The magnificently coloured stained glass by Alan Younger was added to Grimthorpe s north transept rose window, and unveiled in 1989 by Diana, Princess of Wales. 10 Nave Statues Seven statues of martyrs, sculpted by Rory Young, installed in the niches of the medieval nave screen in FREE Guided Tours of the Cathedral are available daily at the following times: 11.30am Monday to Saturday 2pm Saturday 2.30pm Sunday to Friday If your time is limited, our Highlights Tour takes place at 1.05pm every day of the week. 4 Follow us on

5 1 (C) Tim Bull (C) Donato Cinicolo 5

6 Music New Year s Day Celebration Concert St Albans Symphony Orchestra Date: Monday 2nd January Time: 7pm R Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Suite Schumann Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra Tchaikovsky Swan Lake suite (selections) Hess Ladies in Lavender Gade Tango Jalousie J. Strauss II Tales from the Vienna Woods Conductor: Tom Hammond Tickets: 28, 22, 12 and 8 Concessions: Children (18 and under) 1, Students (full-time) 5 Wheelchair spaces 28 (Premium), with a carer going free. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 11th January Time: 12:30pm Jemima Stephenson, Toulouse Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. St Albans International Organ Festival Organ Recital Date: Saturday 14th January Time: 5.30pm Johannes Zeinler, Austria Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of the IOFS. Hertfordshire Chorus Date: Saturday 4th February Time: 7.30pm Elgar The Kingdom In The Kingdom, Elgar tells of the transformation of the apostles from frightened disciples into bold evangelists after Jesus s death. It is well known for Mary s haunting solo The sun goeth down. Hertfordshire Chorus s previous performance here earned high praise from Martin Bird, Review Editor of the Elgar Society Journal. Conductor: David Temple Soloists: Eleanor Dennis (soprano), Diana Moore (mezzo), Ben Johnson (tenor), James Platt (bass) With London Orchestra da Camera Tickets: 25, 20, 15, 12 Concessions: Children (under 18) 5 Wheelchair spaces 25 with a carer going free. 6 Call the Box Office on

7 Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 8th February Time: 12.30pm Joshua Hales, Acting Director of Music, Sheffield Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Lunchtime Classical Guitar Concert Date: Saturday 18th February Time: 1pm Italian Classical Guitarist Costanza Casullo plays music by Weiss, Sanz, Albeniz, Villa-Lobos, Barrios and Ravel. Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds and the Music Trust. St Albans International Organ Festival Organ Recital Date: Saturday 25th February Time: 5.30pm Richard Pinel, UK Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of the IOFS. Young Musicians Competition 2017 Date: Sunday 26th February Time: 1.30pm The sixth Young Musicians Competition final guarantees a wonderful afternoon of talented, local young people performing in one of the most stunning venues in Hertfordshire, the Nave of St Albans Cathedral. Entry 5 on the door, children free. Lunchtime Piano Recital Date: Monday 27th February Time: 1pm American concert pianist Roman Rudnytsky, will play a program which includes "Almeria" and "Triana" from IBERIA by Albeniz and his own transcription for solo piano of the Grieg Concerto in A minor for piano and orchestra, op. 16. Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. 7

8 Music Brocket Consort sing the Baroque masters Date: Saturday 18th March Time: 7.30pm Parsons Ave Maria Buxtehude Membra Jesu Nostri JS Bach Ich habe genug Handel Dixit Dominus Tickets: Please visit the Cathedral website. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 22nd March Time: 12.30pm Nicholas Freestone, Organ Scholar, St Albans Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds St Albans Choral Society Date: Saturday 25th March Time: 7.30pm St Albans Choral Society Brahms Schicksalslied Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture Mozart Mass in C minor St Albans Choral Society, Orchestra Nova and a quartet of outstanding soloists join forces to perform Mozart s Mass in C minor like his other choral masterpiece, the Requiem, it is incomplete, but contains some of Mozart s most awe-inspiring music. It is preceded by Mendelssohn s popular Hebrides overture and Brahms Schicksalslied. Conductor: George Vass Soloists: Daisy Brown (soprano), Elizabeth Cragg (soprano), Mark Chaundy (tenor), Dominic Sedgwick (baritone) with Orchestra Nova Tickets: 25, 20, 15, and 10 Concessions (excludes premium seats): Children (18 and under) 5, Students (full-time) 5. Wheelchair spaces 25 (Premium), with a carer going free. 8 Call the Box Office on

9 St Albans Bach Choir Date: Saturday 1st April Time: 7.30pm Dvořák - Stabat Mater Conductor: Andrew Lucas Soloists: Eleanor Dennis (soprano), Alison Kettlewell (mezzo soprano), San Furness (tenor), Martin Robson (bass) with Sinfonia Verdi Tickets: 30, 25, 18, and 12 Concessions: Children (under 16) 12, Students (full-time) 12 (not available for top price tickets) Wheelchair spaces 25 and 12 (Classic and No View only), with a carer going free. Come and Sing: Stainer s The Crucifixion Date: Saturday 8th April Time: 2.30pm rehearsal, 6.30pm performance A chance to learn Stainer s The Crucifixion in an afternoon, with the Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral, Andrew Lucas, for a performance at the Cathedral in the evening. This is an opportunity to sing a famous reflection on the Passion in the period leading up to Good Friday itself, and in a wonderful space with a renowned conductor. Price: 12 to participate Tickets for the Performance: 5 unreserved Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 26th April Time: 12.30pm Gary Sieling, Director of Music, St Mary the Virgin, Henley-On-Thames Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Dates For Your Diary St Albans Cathedral Choir Lunchtime Recital Monday 1st May London Musical Theatre Orchestra Saturday 13th May Handel s Messiah Saturday 15th July Rennie Grove Concert: Sounds Around the Abbey Monday 24th-Friday 29th July How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at by telephoning or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Shop) between 10am pm Monday to Friday, 10am pm Saturday and 1pm - 5pm on Sunday. Enquiries about events can be sent to boxoffice@stalbanscathedral.org Tickets and/or programmes will also be available for all events at the door on the night, unless previously sold out. 9

10 Special Services (C) Jamie Christo Solemn Evensong for Epiphany Date: Sunday 8th January Time: 6.30pm Sung by Alban Voices. Epiphany & Candlemas Carol Service Date: Sunday 29th January Time: 6.30pm A beautiful service of music and readings, sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Taizé Service Date: Sunday 19th February Time: 6.30pm An evening service with instrumental music, a meditation and singing. Ash Wednesday Date: Wednesday 1st March Time: 8pm Choral Eucharist with imposition of ashes, marking the start of the season of Lent sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Mothering Sunday Date: 26th March Time: 8am Eucharist; 9.30 Parish Eucharist; 11.15am Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir 6.30pm Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir Quiet Abbey The Cathedral is kept open every Monday evening during Lent for prayer and reflection, from 8pm to 9.30pm. For further details, please visit stalbanscathedral.org/worship 10

11 Holy Week & Easter During Holy Week we are invited to share in Christ s own journey, from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the desolation of Good Friday and Holy Saturday and finally the joyful celebrations of Easter Sunday. This year, our Holy Week Preacher is the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles CVO, former Dean of St Paul s. Passiontide Service Sunday 2nd April Time: 6.30pm A powerful meditative service of music, poetry and prayer, marking the start of Passiontide. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Palm Sunday Procession Sunday 9th April Time: 9.30am Meet by the Clock Tower in the High Street, ready to set off for the procession to the Cathedral. Bring a branch or some greenery from home to wave as we walk! Compline and Address Monday 10th April - Wednesday 12th April Time: 8pm Maundy Thursday 13th April Chrism Eucharist Time: 11am A eucharist gathering together the clergy and lay ministers throughout the diocese for an act of commitment to ministry and the blessing of the holy oils for use throughout the following year. Maundy Eucharist Time: 8pm This service includes the washing of the feet of 12 people and is followed by the stripping of all decoration from the altars. A vigil of prayer is kept until midnight. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. (C) Ryan Fisher 11

12 Holy Week & Easter Good Friday 14th April Today we remember Jesus death on a cross. 10am: Pre-school Children s Service On Good Friday, the Cathedral will hold a children's event for all primary school aged children. The event will involve a mixture of story-telling, activities and crafts. For more information, please visit the Cathedral website. Three Hours Devotion 12pm 1.30pm: Preaching of the Passion 1.30pm 3pm: The Liturgy of Good Friday Sung by the Cathedral Choir Unity at the Cross 8pm: An ecumenical service led this year by Churches Together in St Albans Easter Eve Saturday 15th April On the Saturday, Jesus body lay in the tomb. This is a quiet day of preparations for Easter celebrations which start as night falls. 4pm: Evensong Sung by the Cathedral Choir. 8pm: Easter Vigil This first service of Easter begins quietly in darkness, but ends in joyful light and noise. Includes baptisms and confirmations from across the diocese. 12

13 Easter Day Sunday 16th April On the Sunday Jesus disciples found his tomb was empty, then met and ate with the risen Jesus. Easter celebrations continue with festival services throughout the day. 9.30am: Parish Eucharist Sung by the Cathedral Choir 11.15am: Matins Sung by the Cathedral Choir 6.30pm: Evensong Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Easter Monday 17th April Easter Monday Pilgrimage People, young and old, walk to the Cathedral from across the diocese to meet and gather in the Cathedral from 2pm. Service starts at 3pm. The Alban Bun The Original Hot Cross Bun For nearly 700 years, the Alban Bun has been a part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral and will be available to buy this Easter from the Abbot s Kitchen. This predecessor of the Hot Cross Bun is said to originate in St Albans, where Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a 14th Century monk at St Albans Abbey, developed an original recipe and distributed the bun to the local poor on Good Friday, starting in These delicious buns are best served toasted and with butter! For more information on services throughout Holy Week and Easter, please call or go to 13

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15 Family Fun Here at the Cathedral, children s events are going on all year round. We especially love to welcome children and families during the school holidays, when we run our free Family Discovery Mornings and other exciting trails. Family Discovery Mornings Time: 10am 12.30pm Price: Free. Donations gratefully received. Thursday 16th February All You Need is Love There are lots of fun themed activities for children to enjoy on this Valentines Family Discovery morning, which will explore the themes of love and friendship. The children will also have a chance to make a special Valentines animal puppet! Thursday 6th April Space: The Final Frontier Join us for a fun morning exploring space, the stars and medieval astrology! With activities ranging from winding up the clock and making stained glass windows, this Family Event will be out of this world! Suitable for ages We advise arriving before to complete all the activities. Meet in North Transept. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children s Explorer Guide Price: 1.00 Become an Official Explorer of St Albans Cathedral Whatever day you visit, with our exciting Children s Explorer Guide you can find out more about Saint Alban and follow a fun trail around the Cathedral, learning fascinating facts as you go. 15

16 Special Events For one weekend during English Tourism Week 2017, Hertfordshire residents get the chance to enjoy an amazing day out in their county for free! Thousands of free tickets will be available for attractions across Hertfordshire, including St Albans Cathedral. You can sign up now at to get all the latest news and to enter the ballot for tickets in February. The Devil s Passion by Justin Butcher Date: Thursday 6th April Time: 7.30pm A serious & seriously fine piece of writing, terrific performance, startlingly original presentation Church Times 33 AD. Jesus enters Jerusalem to fulfil his destiny. Satan ascends from Hell to stop him. A battle begins for the soul of humanity. Framed satirically against a War on Terror backdrop of heightened security, fear and surveillance, with Satan as a self-styled Intelligence Chief fighting extremism in the Middle East in defence of our freedoms, the last days of Christ are presented as a counter-terrorism operation by diabolical security forces. Riveting, witty performance British Theatre Guide Timely, beautifully-written, poignant... Butcher s writing shines Huffington Post Tickets will be on sale from the Cathedral Box Office in January. For more details go to

17 Special Events Climbing Everest Date: Thursday 27th April Time: 7.30pm Tickets: 10 - visit the Cathedral website for details. An event by the Friends of St Albans Cathedral. In May 2016 Rob Lucas, one of the leading supporters of the Alban, Britain s First Saint project, joined alpinist Kenton Cool to become one of the first mountaineers to reach the summit of Mount Everest since Nepal closed the area to climbers after avalanches and an earthquake killed 16 guides and 19 climbers in Rob will be delivering a talk on this phenomenal experience. A NIGHT ON BROADWAY IN THE ABBEY ST ALBANS CHARITY CONCERT SATURDAY 13TH MAY PM Join the London Musical Theatre Orchestra performing hits from top West End and Broadway shows, such as Mamma Mia and Wicked! Tickets on sale in the New Year from the Cathedral Box Office. Visit: stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/ lmto.org St Albans Your local supplier of high quality, low priced print. Special Offer 10% off Order of Service design & printing 46 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1NG Offer valid until 30th April

18 Tours Abbey by Night Tours Dates: Wednesday 18th January Wednesday 8th February Wednesday 29th March Times: 8pm & 8.30pm Price: 12.50, includes drinks reception This unique, atmospheric tour led by monks and historical characters gives you the rare chance to explore the Cathedral by candlelight. Drinks reception 15 minutes before the tour time. These tours sell out quickly so please book online as soon as possible. Tower Tours Enjoy the best views in town! Saturday 1st April 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Sunday 2nd April 2pm 3.15pm 4.30pm Wednesday 19th April 11am 12.30pm Saturday 29th April 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Price: 9 This spectacular tour takes you all the way to the top of the Norman Bell Tower via the north transept gallery, the ringing and bell chambers, before your final climb out onto the roof of the tower. Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Restrictions apply. See website for details. There will be more tours taking place throughout the summer. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details. Book a tower tour online at: call or visit the Box Office located in the Cathedral Gift Shop. 18

19 Exhibitions Competition winner Harry Dunkerly Museums Trust Young People s Photographic Competition Exhibition Date: Saturday 7th Sunday 22nd January For the fourth year in a row, St Albans Camera Club will host its student photographic competition, open to any photography student attending any of the local schools and colleges. This exhibition will display all the submitted images from the competition which took place in November, including the winner and runners up. Oaklands College Exhibition: Re-Make, Re-Model, Re-Boot Date: Thursday 20th Monday 24th April This exhibition showcases work by Oaklands College students on the Foundation Diploma and Year 2 Extended Diploma course. The project allows students to take a deep and investigative look at questions being raised by political and social changes happening in the world. The work will be produced from a variety of disciplines such as ceramics, photography, painting and drawing, print, graphics, fashion, textiles and three dimensional design. For some of the students this is their first public exhibition before they graduate from Oaklands College to go to university. For exhibition opening times, please see the Cathedral website. Unless otherwise stated entry to exhibitions at the Cathedral is free. 19

20 Talks Europe s Other Faith? Islam in German History and its Implications for Britain Today Date: Monday 23rd January Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 This lecture explores how Islam and Muslims figured in German history and culture from the eighteenth century until the First World War. Tutor: Dr James Hodkinson, Warwick University The Gospel According to John Date: Thursday 26th January Time: 8pm Price: 6 This lecture will explore the special character of John s Gospel and try to open up its thought world, showing why, despite its apparent difficulty, in many respects John is more compatible with contemporary thought than the other evangelists. Tutor: The Very Revd Dr Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans The Beauty and the Horror Date: Monday 13th February Time: 7.30pm Price: 6 The mind naturally moves to the possibility of a wise and loving power behind the universe. But time and again we are brought up short by some terrible suffering. How could love have created such a world as ours? For many people this is the biggest of all questions. Tutor: The Right Revd Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Former Bishop of Oxford Science, Religion and the Search for Extra Terrestrial Life Date: Thursday 2nd March Time: 7.30pm Price: 6 One of the most extraordinary scientific discoveries of recent years has been the observation of planets outside the Solar System. In this lecture, Prof Wilkinson explores the implications of these discoveries for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and what this means for Christian faith. Tutor: The Revd Prof David Wilkinson, Canon Scientist How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at by telephoning or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Shop) between 10am pm Monday to Friday, 10am pm Saturday and 1pm - 5pm on Sunday. Enquiries about talks & courses can be sent to studycentre@stalbanscathedral.org 20

21 Chaucer and his Pilgrims Date: Monday 13th March Time: 8pm Price: 10 This talk will focus on the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales within the medieval concept of pilgrimage, the characters described there and some of their tales. The emphasis will be on the church and its representatives, from the Parson to the Pardoner, as revealed by Chaucer. Extracts will be from a modern translation; no knowledge of Middle English is needed! Tutor: Canon Margaret Tinsley, Tutor in Literature Stained Glass in St Albans Abbey: Ancient and Modern In partnership with the Friends of St Albans Abbey Date: Thursday 16th March Time: 7.30pm Price: Friends Members 8; Non-members Thousands of fragments of medieval glass from the windows of the old Cathedral Chapter House were recovered during excavations in the 1980s: a small quantity of which retained their colour, detail and beauty. Dr Heather Gilderdale Scott, a leading medieval stained glass scholar, put the pieces together so that we can begin to appreciate the richness of the decoration in the St Albans medieval Chapter House. Tutor: Dr Heather Gilderdale Scott St Albans Cathedral Education Centre The award winning Education Centre brings a variety of curriculum subjects to life in original and surprising ways, including R.E., History, Maths & English. Using the Cathedral as its classroom, over 14,000 children a year from nursery up to sixth form are welcomed by our team. For more information call or education@stalbanscathedral.org 21

22 Visitor Information Abbot s Kitchen Situated in the Chapter House, the Abbot s Kitchen serves delicious lunches, afternoon teas, children s meals and refreshments. Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 12.30pm-4.30pm The Abbot s Kitchen can also provide catering for large groups, functions and special occasions. For reservations please call or abbots@elior.com Cathedral Shop Our Cathedral Shop has a wide range of souvenirs and gifts to suit all ages and tastes. There are gifts for special occasions, birthdays, baptisms and weddings, plus a beautiful range of Cathedral and Saint Alban souvenirs and recordings by the Cathedral Choirs. It also features a great range of books, including children s books, local interest and history titles. We stock books by our clergy and local authors, and carry an extensive range of general greetings cards, special occasion cards and postcards. Opening times 10am pm Monday to Friday, 10am pm Saturday and 1pm - 5pm Sunday. For all enquiries please call or enterprises@stalbanscathedral.org Support St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral is a National Treasure and relies heavily upon the generosity of its congregation and visitors. If you would like to play a role in preserving and enhancing St Albans Cathedral for future generations you can: Make a donation by text Simply text NAVE01 10 or NAVE01 5 to Become a Friend of St Albans Cathedral The Friends are a group of people of all faiths and none - who love this place, and who help to sustain and enhance the Cathedral. Amongst the many activities of the Friends is a wonderful social programme, which is also open to non-members. For more information on becoming a Friend, friends@stalbanscathedral.org or call

23 All are welcome at Cathedral services. Sunday Services 8am The Eucharist 9.30am Parish Eucharist 10.30am Prayers for Healing (3rd Sunday) 11.15am Choral Eucharist (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday) 11.15am Matins (3rd Sunday) 12.15pm The Eucharist (3rd Sunday) 6.30pm Evensong Weekday Services 7.30am Morning Prayer 8am The Eucharist 12pm The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban 5pm Evensong (usually Evening Prayer on Monday) On Fridays, the service at 12 noon is the Roman Catholic Mass. Saturday Services 8.30am 9am 12pm 4pm Our Regular Services Morning Prayer The Eucharist The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban Evensong Services Once a Month 2nd Wednesday 10am Mothers Union Eucharist 3rd Wednesday 10am Teddy Bear Service Ecumenical Services We hold regular services of different Christian denominations. Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12pm German Lutheran A service in German on the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm Free Church The first Wednesday of every month at 11am Orthodox Monthly on Tuesdays at 10.30am (check our service list for dates). A Day Chaplain is available for consultation on most days. At other times please ask to see a member of the Cathedral staff. Occasionally, special services interrupt our usual pattern of worship. A full, monthly Service & Music List is available at St Albans Cathedral is part of the international Green Pilgrimage Network, committed to raising environmental standards. For more information go to 23

24 Opening Times The Cathedral is open all year round 8.30am pm Entry is FREE All donations are gratefully received. Our Box Office is located in the Cathedral Shop or you can call or book online at How to Get Here The Cathedral is situated in the centre of the historic and beautiful city of St Albans. It is easily reached by car and public transport with good links from the M1 and M25, and is just 20 minutes by train from Central London. For full travel information, please go to: For the latest information visit our website and sign up to our What s On Newsletter St Albans Cathedral Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 1BY Telephone: mail@stalbanscathedral.org