Figure 1.-- The Rochester Cathedral Choir is seen here in their destinctive motar board caps and choral robes. They stand in front of the entrance to the Cathedral. Notice the awards that some of the choristers wear.

Rochester is located in the Thames Estuary of Kent. It has a beautiful Norman Cathedral, which is the second oldest in the country after Canterbury. There is also a fascinating castle ruin directly opposite the Cathedral. the city of Rochester is known for the fact that Charles Dickens once lived there and his house is maintained as a tourist site. Many of the shop names have a Dickensian theme. The Rochester Cathedral Choir is composed of men and boys. There is also a girls' choir and a Special Choir (adult). The Choir organizes many tours, including ine to America in 1998.

Rochester

Rochester is located in the Thames Estuary of Kent. The town was founded about 604 AD by Ethelbert, King of Kent. The city of Rochester is known for the fact that Charles Dickens once lived there and his house is maintained as a tourist site. Many of the shop names have a Dickensian theme.

Castle

There is also a fascinating castle ruin directly opposite the Cathedral. After William defeated Harold at Hastings (1066), he quickly established his control over Saxon England. To maintain that control, William and his successors set about building imposing castles. After the Norman Conquest Gundulf, was the first Norman appointed as a Bishop in England. Gundulf of Bec was the chief castle builder for William the Conqueror. He is best known as the archetect responsible for the construction of the Tower of London.

Cathedral

Rochester has a beautiful Norman Cathedral, which is the second oldest in the country after Canterbury. Gundulf begn the construction of Rochester Cathedral. He rebuilt the existing Saxon Cathedral at Rochester. Rochester had a Cathedral which was maintained by an important monestary. Gundulf improved the surrounding monastic buildings and replaced the secular canons with Benedictine monks. The nave and the restored west front were constructed in the 12th century. Imposing cahedrals were a major attracion of Medieval pilgrims. One of those pilgrims in 1201 was murdered outside the cathedral. He was raised to sainthood and became known St. William of Perth. As a result, larger numbers of pilgrims flocked to the cathedral, significantly increasing he Cathedral revenue. This provided the finances to rebuild many parts including the presbytery, transepts and choir.

Choir

Wehave only limited information on the Cathedral Choir at this time. The Rochester Cathedral Choir is composed of men and boys. There is also a girls' choir and a Special Choir (adult). The Choir organizes many tours, including one to America in 1998. The Choir performs a wide variety of concert works, mainly singing in Rochester Cathedral. An annual event for the Society is the Castle Gardens promenade concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The choir costume is a dark red robe, a collar ruff, and mortar board caps. We are not sure just when this costume was adopted.