If These Stones Could Sing

The Development of Anglican Church Music

Hosted by Nashotah House Theological Seminary and New York Polyphony

Class Dates: August 3‐9, 2026 

This course will take place at St. Albans Cathedral, with planned day trips to St. Stephen’s House, Oxford University, and King’s College, Cambridge. 

The course will focus on the performance, history, and development of Anglican church music, from the Sarum rite through the Reformation to the present day.  

Together with internationally renowned vocal quartet and early music specialists New York Polyphony, participants will share in sung Daily Office and Mass. Daily tours and lectures will focus on the history of the buildings, liturgy, and music sung in these unique sacred spaces.  

Participants are encouraged to bring their families. All venues are family-friendly, and information will be provided to guide travelers in sightseeing, restaurants, and parks. 

Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

Two modes of engagement

There are two ways to engage in this course:

For Credit

First, you may participate as a student. To be a student means that you will complete all reading and coursework and that you will actively participate in daily rehearsals and sung services. Students will be required to complete an academic research paper. Students receive graduate-level credit through Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Each student will need to complete the appropriate student application (for a degree or as a Visiting Student) at Nashotah House to earn graduate credit.

For Audit

Second, you may participate as an Auditor. Auditors will participate in daily rehearsals and sung services, are encouraged to complete the reading and coursework, and they are primarily observers during the class lectures and discussions. With approval of the instructor, active participation in daily rehearsals and singing the choral services is not mandatory to participate as a auditor.

Course Details

The course will meet for four, 3-hour sessions for seminar-style discussions led by the instructors, incorporating limited lecture time. Students will be expected to have read all of the material in advance. Auditors may sit in on the class. A complete syllabus will be made available not later than November 1, 2025. The course sessions are as follows:

• Session 1 – Fundamentals of Music and its role in Liturgy
• Session 2 – Musical roots of the Church of England after the Reformation
• Session 3 – Music and Architecture
• Session 4 – Singing the Mass and the Daily Office

Students will write a 12-page (20-page for S.T.M. and D.Min. students) academic research paper on a topic approved by one of the instructors.

Travel & Accommodations

Participants will arrange and purchase their own airfare to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).  Unless the participant wishes to extend their travel, it is suggested that you book a ticket which departs on Saturday, August 1, and arrives Sunday, August 2, so that you are settled in time to begin on Monday, August 3. 

Almost all of the places we will visit are accessible on foot. Those who wish to move around in another fashion on their own (rental car, train, etc.) are welcome to do so within the given itinerary. 

Accommodations: Participants will arrange their own accommodations. Blocks of rooms will be arranged, but reservation and payment is the responsibility of the participant. Suggestions will be provided.

Food: Participants are responsible for all food. 

Program Fees

Students: $2,900. This includes a $1,950 fee for the three-credit course and $950 program fee to cover all touring and organizing costs. Students in all Nashotah degree programs are permitted to register for this course. Limit: 24 students.

Auditors: $1,600. This includes a $650 tuition fee and $950 program fee to cover all touring and organizing costs. Limit: 24 auditors.

Total Cost:

• Students: When including travel and accommodations, we estimate $4,000 as a base cost per student, recognizing the variability of several factors (airfare, accommodations, food).
• Auditors: When including travel and accommodations, we estimate $2,850 as a base cost for auditors, recognizing the variability of several factors (airfare, accommodation, food).

Questions?

For registration questions, contact admissions@nashotah.edu

For questions regarding course credit, contact the registrar of Nashotah House

For course questions about the course or about traveling with spouses or children, contact Dr. Geoffrey Williams