Music through the year | Cathedral Music Trust

Delve deeper into music written for different times of the liturgical year – from Remembrance, through to Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter. The repertoire sung by cathedral choirs is vast, and there is much music written specifically for certain occasions. Select a season below to learn more.

Season of Remembrance

The month of November offers a time within the liturgical calendar to remember lost loved ones and those who have died in war and conflict. Our overview of cathedral music for this season explores anthems for All Saints and Requiems for All Souls as well as moving music for Remembrance Day and the Festival of Christ the King.

Music for Remembrance

Advent

In many Christian traditions, Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical calendar, and is a time of hope and expectation for the coming of Christ. Find out more about the season and discover the cathedral music that accompanies it.

Music for Advent

Christmas

Enjoy learning more about favourite Christmas carols or discover something new in our ‘History of Christmas Carols’. Follow their development over six centuries in our timeline of the genre.

Music for Christmas Timeline of carols

A rough wooden cross on a background of purple sky and clouds

Lent

Discover more about the season of Lent and traditions that take place during the period. Learn more about Laetare Sunday, how Evensong changes during the season, and hear our top picks of Lent choral and organ music.

Music for Lent

Holy Week & Easter

A look at some of the music that features in services during this most important week of the Church year

Holy Week & Easter