9. Queen Victoria’s Reign

The arrival of a new dean following the Cathedrals Act of 1840 gave some hope of improvement, not only to a failing choir but also to other troubles. The act reduced the number of canons to four, and set salaries for the dean and canons. Standards started to improve, choir salaries increased, and the cathedral underwent a major restoration campaign lasting around twenty years. Lighting and heating were improved and new initiatives followed. A voluntary choir was formed, which was to flourish under the direction of an assistant organist. Excerpts from Bach’s passion music were performed by an augmented cathedral choir at Evensongs in Holy Week, and a choir school was founded with choristers boarding rather than living at home with their parents. Towards the end of the century, the organist felt there had been a great improvement in the singing and was proud of his part in this.