The Parkinson & Burton Choristerships

parkinsonIt 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.

5 Comments

  1. 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.

    • admin

      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.

    • Yes, how nice his name lives on.

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