It was a great delight to add two Endowed Chorister places into the Cathedral’s Choirs yesterday.
The Parkinson Choristership (pictured) has been donated by Lady Parkinson, wife of Cecil (Lord) Parkinson. Cecil and Anne both have long associations with St Albans Cathedral. The close family was able to enjoy the new Chorister’s Institution at the 11.15am Choral Eucharist before Lord Parkinson’s ashes were interred in the north churchyard.
Evensong with the Abbey Girls Choir saw the Institution of the first Burton Choristership, generously given by Anonymous donors.
Claude Peter Primrose Burton was Organist and Master of the Music from 1950-1957. A quiet man, he devoted his life to cathedral music but sadly lost his life when rescuing a drowning chorister in July 1957. The chorister survived, but it was not to be so for Peter.
We thank him, and recognise his manifold contribution to the music at St Albans Cathedral during his time at he helm.
30th November 2020 at 11:33 AM
I was a chorister during CPPB’s time and have been trying to fill out details of his biography and of published music. I know he composed an evening service in A minor, because I remember singing it. I have also found an Improvisation on The First Nowell, but that is all.
I am pleased his name lives on and is commemorated in these choristerships.
1st December 2020 at 6:42 PM
I know of Burton in G minor and the First Nowell but I’m not aware of anything else other than a hymn tune “Verulamium” to “Alban, high in glory shining” – words by Gertrude A George. I have a copy and we sang it at St Peter’s Church, St Albans when I was DOM there. Never heard it in the Cathedral itself. Good to hear from you, Jim.
10th January 2021 at 5:06 PM
Thank you and apologies for the delay in responding. Yes, I got the key of the service wrong. I have tried unsuccessfully to find a copy of ‘Verulamium’; perhaps it was never published.
Best wishes, Jim.
26th January 2021 at 11:08 AM
It would be nice to hear this hymn performed!
26th January 2021 at 11:01 AM
Yes, how nice his name lives on.