Music and Bells

The bells

We have a fine peal of ten bells. More information here.

Music

We strive to provide a wide variety of musical support to enrich the worship and life of the church, but always performed to the very best standard that we can achieve.

We are currently working on an expanding programme of musical outreach and have already run several very successful events over the last five years. There are more in the pipeline!

As well as the choir, we have several talented instrumentalists and Chris Benham, a previous Director of Music, runs a professional (and profitable) weekly lunchtime concert series. Proceeds from this are used to support our musical work with all in full-time education.

As we are a large church we also host several major concerts every year.

As well as two formal post-holders we are blessed with a number of skilled professionals who work with us: Sam Chadwick, a former Choral Scholar here and Director of Music at Richard Hale School, Chris Benham (Chapel Organist, St Edmund's School, Ware, a number of other full-time/semi-professional musicians in the choir and my wife, Mary (Long-established teacher of Piano and Singing). Do come and see/hear us and join in too!

Directors of Music

Known as "Organist and Choirmaster" until 2000. Name changed to reflect changes in role.
 
2009 - Martin G Penny MA FRCO FISM
1996 - 2009Christopher Benham BA PGCE
1995 - 1996John Winter FTCL ARCM (Formerly Organist & Master of the Choristers, Truro Cathedral)
1982 - 1994Michael Frith BMus ARCO
1981 - 1982David Boarder BA BMus FRCO
1978 - 1981Brian Bromley ARCO
1976 - 1978Andrew Teague MA FRCO (Later DoM, Bradford Cathedral)
1966 - 1975Brian Bromley ARCO
1916 - 1966William J Comley BMus FRCO
1901 - 1915James L Gregory BMus FRCO
1873 - 1900Malcolm Heywood ARAM
1791 - 1872Charles Bridgeman
1791 Anna Maria Bridgeman
1744 - 1791 Thomas Green
1734? - 1743 Ralph Battell
1698? - 1734? Affabel Battell
? - 1698? Mary Battell

Organists/Assistant Directors of Music/Acting Sub Organist

Titles and roles seem to have varied considerably!
 
2015 - John Norris BA FGMS PGCE
2014 - 2015 Christopher Joyce MA PhD
2013 - 2014James Gough MA FRCO (Assistant Organist, Southwark Cathedral 2021-)
2011 - 2013 Benedict Wilson BA MMus ARCO (DoM, Holy Trinity Stratford-upon-Avon 2013-2019; Head of Chapel Music, Shrewsbury School 2019- )
2009 - 2011 Samuel Hudson MA FRCO (DoM, Blackburn Cathedral 2011-19; DoM Worcester Cathedral 2019-)
1998 - 2009Martin G Penny MA FRCO (DoM, All Saints, Hertford 2009-)
1997 - 1998John Norris BA FGMS PGCE
1996 - 1997David Abbott ARCO
1990 - 1996Christopher Benham BA PGCE(Then DoM, All Saints, Hertford 1996-2009)
1987 - 2009Brian Bromley ARCO (p/t)
?1987 - 1990Tony Raven
1979 - 1987John Norris BA FGMS PGCE

'Soundbites' Organ Scholars

2018- Vacant
2017 - 2018Mark Scaife BMus, MMus
2012 - 2017 Michael Stephens-JonesBA FRCO (OS Dean Close 2017-18; OS Selwyn College, Cambridge 2018-21, Guildford Cathedral 2021-22, St Paul's Cathedral 2022-23, ADoM Exeter Cathedral 2023-)

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Useful links

How to find us

Directions and maps

Information for Hirers

Our Hall may have just the slot you need. For further information and/or to make a booking visit the dedicated website at https://www.stjohnshallhertford.org/.

To book the church contact the Parish Adminstrator: office@allsaintshertford.org

Can't find something?

Please email us office@allsaintshertford.org (office hours are 14-16 Thurs and Sat) or contact our Churchwardens wardens@allsaintshertford.org.