SIX lay clerks of St Albans Cathedral will finish their time in post in the coming months, it has been confirmed.
The cathedral newsletter the Sunday before last included a notice recognising the “outstanding service and contribution” of the six male singers. The cathedral would “shortly be recruiting for new lay clerks for the new academic year”, it said.
The cathedral issued a statement on Tuesday of last week: “Following a diocese-wide consultation in 2023, the cathedral reaffirmed its commitment to the English choral tradition, alongside a long-term strategy to strengthen and sustain choral music through education, outreach, and partnership.”
It listed the offering of parity to girls and boys in the cathedral choir, the appointment of the cathedral’s first female lay clerk, and a vision for the introduction of a choral scholarship programme from September 2027.
“In early 2025, a clear consultation process took place to establish a way forward for that vision with the lay clerks,” the statement said. “Proposed changes ranged from the choir’s timetable to an improved fee structure and overall staffing model. These changes form part of a carefully planned transition intended to support the future strength and sustainability of the Cathedral’s music.
“We can now confirm that six posts will conclude over the coming months, with opportunities to remain involved as deputies. These lay clerks depart with the Cathedral’s sincere gratitude for their contributions to the ministry of this place.”
The statement denied that the decisions were made on the basis of age, which was “neither a criterion nor a determining factor. With members of our Cathedral choirs ranging in age from 4 to over 80, the Cathedral remains committed to supporting members of our choirs and orchestra at every age and stage of their musicianship.”
