There has been a choir of boys and gentlemen at St Paul's Cathedral for ove… Read Full Bio ↴There has been a choir of boys and gentlemen at St Paul's Cathedral for over nine centuries. The earliest records date from 1127, when the Bishop of London, Richard de Belmeis, founded what was the first choir school and made provision for 'almonry' boys to serve the cathedral.
2nd of December 1697 saw the opening of Wren's great cathedral following the Great Fire of 1666. John Blow, the Minister of the Choristers, wrote his anthem I was glad when they said unto me to be sung at this grand occasion. He was assisted by his pupil Jeremiah Clarke, who was to become the first official Organist of the new Cathedral. Purcell's Te Deum and Jubilate was also performed, accompanied by Father Smith's large new organ, esteemed the best in Europe according to the diarist John Evelyn.
In 1860 a significant change in the building took place when the screen on which the organ was housed was removed and in 1872 the Cathedral took two major steps – building a new organ and appointing John Stainer as Organist.
Stainer proposed a choir of 40 boys and 18 men (or Vicars Choral) to achieve the necessary vocal power to fill the cathedral following the removal of the choir-screen. He demanded more rehearsal time for the Vicars Choral and encouraged a more professional approach altogether. This meant that he was able to extend the musical repertoire enormously, and began to sow the seeds of the musical tradition we know today.
The present Cathedral Choir consists of 30 choristers (boy trebles), eight probationers (who will become choristers) and 12 professional adult singers (or Vicars Choral): four altos, four tenors and four basses.
2nd of December 1697 saw the opening of Wren's great cathedral following the Great Fire of 1666. John Blow, the Minister of the Choristers, wrote his anthem I was glad when they said unto me to be sung at this grand occasion. He was assisted by his pupil Jeremiah Clarke, who was to become the first official Organist of the new Cathedral. Purcell's Te Deum and Jubilate was also performed, accompanied by Father Smith's large new organ, esteemed the best in Europe according to the diarist John Evelyn.
In 1860 a significant change in the building took place when the screen on which the organ was housed was removed and in 1872 the Cathedral took two major steps – building a new organ and appointing John Stainer as Organist.
Stainer proposed a choir of 40 boys and 18 men (or Vicars Choral) to achieve the necessary vocal power to fill the cathedral following the removal of the choir-screen. He demanded more rehearsal time for the Vicars Choral and encouraged a more professional approach altogether. This meant that he was able to extend the musical repertoire enormously, and began to sow the seeds of the musical tradition we know today.
The present Cathedral Choir consists of 30 choristers (boy trebles), eight probationers (who will become choristers) and 12 professional adult singers (or Vicars Choral): four altos, four tenors and four basses.
Christians Awake
St. Paul's Cathedral Choir Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by St. Paul's Cathedral Choir:
: Do You Hear What I Hear Said the night wind to the little lamb Do you see what…
A Boy is Born A babe is born all of a may, To bring salvation…
A Gaelic Blessing Deep peace of the running wave to you Deep peace of…
Adam: O Holy Night O holy night the stars are brightly shining It is the…
Anonymous: O Little Town Of Bethlehem Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee…
Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed That little…
Britten: A New Year Carol Here we bring new water from the well so …
Ceremony of Carols Op.28: Balulalow Deo gracias! Deo gracias! Adam lay ibounden, bounden in a bo…
Darke: In the Bleak Midwinter In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Do You Hear What I Hear Said the night wind to the little lamb Do you see what…
Do You Hear What I Hear? Though you don't call anymore I sit and wait in vain I…
Ellis: There Is No Rose There is no rose of such virtue As is the rose…
Feliz Navidad I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas I wanna wish you…
Gauntlett: Once In Royal David's City Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle-shed Where…
Greensleeves What Child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap…
Gruber: Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yo…
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King: pe…
Holst: In The Bleak Midwinter In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
I Saw Three Ships I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas Day, on…
In The Bleak Mid Winter In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear That glorious song of old Fr…
Joy To The World Joy to the world, the Lord has come Let earth receive…
Leontovych: Carol Of The Bells Hark to the bells, high sounding bells, Joyful they ring, "…
Mendelssohn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King: pe…
O Come All Ye Faithful Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant Oh, come ye…
O Holy Night O holy night the stars are brightly shining It is the…
O Little Town Of Bethlehem Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee…
Once in Royal David's City Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle-shed Where…
Ord: Adam Lay Ybounden "Adam lay ybounden, Bounden in a bond Four thousand winter T…
Rutter: A Gaelic Blessing Deep peace of the running wave to you Deep peace of…
Rutter: The Lord Bless You and Keep You The Lord bless you and keep you The Lord make His…
Silent Night Holy Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yo…
The Coventry Carol Lully thy little tiny child By-by lully lullay Here we come …
The Holly & The Ivy The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown Of…
Traditional: Ding Dong! Merrily On High Ding! dong! merrily on high In heaven the bells are ringing:…
Unto Us A Boy Is Born Unto us is born a Son, King of quires supernal: See on…
Wade: O Come All Ye Faithful Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant Oh, come ye…
We Three Kings We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar…
While Shepherds Watched While shepherds watched their flocks by night All seated on…
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John O'Riordan
A sweet and hearty carol.
Many thanks, John O'Riordan
bartsno1
At last I've found a recording that doesn't sound like a dreary dirge! Not andante, but alla marcia. I think the tune is Yorkshire - I'm from Yorkshire and we always sang it with gusto!
William Ripley
This great carol should be brought back.I plan to rehearse this for Christmas 2012
Speedy Steve
Lovely carol, terrible audio.