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 - 2009 | Christopher Benham BA PGCE |
| 1995 - 1996 | John Winter FTCL ARCM (Formerly Organist & Master of the Choristers, Truro Cathedral) |
| 1982 - 1994 | Michael Frith BMus ARCO |
| 1981 - 1982 | David Boarder BA BMus FRCO |
| 1978 - 1981 | Brian Bromley ARCO |
| 1976 - 1978 | Andrew Teague MA FRCO (Later DoM, Bradford Cathedral) |
| 1966 - 1975 | Brian Bromley ARCO |
| 1916 - 1966 | William J Comley BMus FRCO |
| 1901 - 1915 | James L Gregory BMus FRCO |
| 1873 - 1900 | Malcolm Heywood ARAM |
| 1791 - 1872 | Charles 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 - 2014 | James 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 - 2009 | Martin G Penny MA FRCO (DoM, All Saints, Hertford 2009-) |
| 1997 - 1998 | John Norris BA FGMS PGCE |
| 1996 - 1997 | David Abbott ARCO |
| 1990 - 1996 | Christopher Benham BA PGCE(Then DoM, All Saints, Hertford 1996-2009) |
| 1987 - 2009 | Brian Bromley ARCO (p/t) |
| ?1987 - 1990 | Tony Raven |
| 1979 - 1987 | John Norris BA FGMS PGCE |
'Soundbites' Organ Scholars
| 2018- | Vacant |
| 2017 - 2018 | Mark 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-) |
Useful links
How to find us
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 Vicar vicar@allsaintshertford.org.
