St Albans International Organ Festival

Living where I do, I often hear St Albans mentioned because of its proximity to London and handy train services.  But not so often that it is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain, with a Cathedral to match (see photo); and a former Roman city whose extensive remains are still very evident.

Another excuse to visit St Albans is its biennial International Organ Festival, which also hosts an organ playing competition, perhaps the most significant in the world. A variety of choirs and orchestras visit the Festival, and I feel honoured that my organ piece Ettrick Banks will figure in Monday night's Three Choirs concert (July 14). I spent quite some time at the previous (2023) Festival where my most recent organ composition, based on the life of St Alban, was the competition test piece.

Unfunded by public grants, but musically and financially cherished by local residents, the whole thing is a bit of a miracle, under David Titterington's genial but expert leadership.