Students in grades 4-12 sing in the St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir. Choristers learn about the music of worship, the Church, the role of the choir in the context of the parish and the larger Church, and pray together. The kids have fun singing a variety of musical styles and playing Orff instruments and handchimes to help expand music reading and listening skills. Traditional and new choral music, musicianship, using the voice well, deportment, and elements of worship are emphasized in rehearsals.

Rehearsals of the St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir are held on Sundays from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. The children prepare to sing the first Sunday of each month at 9:00 am with vested warmup at 8:15 am, and the third Sunday of the month at 11:15 am with vested warmup at 10:50 am. The St. Francis Choir also sings on Christmas Eve, and for the Sounds of Pohick Concert once a year. New singers are always welcome.

The Choir has read about both saints for whom the choir is named. St. Cecelia was a Roman noblewoman who was converted to Christianity. She was forced to marry a man who was not a Christian, and she converted both him and his brother. Cecelia is known for her legendary Passio, a poem which extols Christian faithfulness. She is also known for her beautiful singing and her love of music.

At that time, it was against the law to be a Christian, and Christians were often put to death for their religion. Cecelia’s death was ordered by the Roman prefect, and she sang as her sentence was being carried out. She died in the year 250, leaving hundreds of converts.

Cecelia became the patron saint of musicians, organ builders, poets, sacred music, and singers because of her beautiful singing, her poetry, and her bravery. She is often pictured playing the organ. November 22 is the day her life is celebrated.

St. Alban is the earliest Christian in Britain who is known by name. A soldier in the Roman army stationed in a town twenty miles northeast of London, now called St. Alban’s, he gave shelter to a Christian priest who was fleeing persecution. The priest converted Alban. When officers came to Alban’s house, he dressed in the priest’s clothes and gave himself up. He was put to death in the year 209.

St. Alban’s Church, begun in 1077, is now the cathedral of the diocese of St. Alban’s. It is the second longest church in England. Alban’s life is celebrated on June 22.

There is a plan to form a group in the gallery to help support the hymn singing at the 11:15 am service and to sing an anthem occasionally. Let Linda Egan know if interested.