Musicians from St Albans wowed sell-out audiences at the Royal Albert Hall last week when they took part in world-famous Christmas Celebration concert.

Composer John Rutter and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were joined by singers from the St Albans Cathedral choirs and St Albans Bach Choir.

The choir, trained by cathedral Master of the Music, Andrew Lucas drew “heartfelt thanks” from Mr Rutter, who praised them for “their outstanding contributions”.

He said that friends in the audience “had never heard such beautifully clear words from a choir in that hall”. Tom Winpenny, cathedral Assistant Master of the Music played the organ.

For Juliet Hall, a soprano in St Albans Bach Choir, the concerts provided an exceptional chance to appear on stage with her two sons, Rory and Xander, both members of St Albans Cathedral Choir.

She said: “As Xander is leaving the cathedral choir on Christmas Day after seven years it was a unique and exciting opportunity for the three of us to perform together, not only at an amazing venue but with John Rutter himself and the worldclass Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

"It was an incredibly moving and uplifting day and we didn't want it to end.”.

Back at home, at St Albans Bach Choir’s traditional Christmas concerts in St Albans Cathedral last Saturday the emphasis was on charity, and audience donations raised over £2000 for Hands at Work in Africa and city based charity The Living Room.