The Christmas Carol services both mark the end of the Michaelmas term, as well as the start of the Christmas holiday and celebrations. After two years of interruption, pupils, parents and staff gathered in Chapel to hear the story of Christmas unfolding in readings and music.
On Tuesday 13 December, the Junior and Senior Prep Schools were treated to a service of lessons and carols. The service started with the congregational singing of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, and there were carols sung by the Vibrant Voices and the Senior Prep Chapel Choir. One of the highlights was the Carol of the Bells, which was composed by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. The service finished with the singing of ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’, sung with gusto by the whole congregation.
In the Senior School this year, there were three Christmas Carol services, all following the traditional format of Nine Lessons and Carols. On Tuesday, pupils in the Upper Sixth and their parents were welcomed into Chapel, and on Wednesday the day and boarding house services were held. The services started in darkness with one soprano voice singing the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’: an extraordinary moment as the sound carried through the Chapel. The readings were read by pupils, members of staff and governors, and there was plenty of congregational singing.
Special thanks must go to the choir for their exceptional singing, and the hard work and commitment that made these services possible.
“ The services were an excellent way to start the Christmas celebrations. ” Janneke Blokland, Chaplain
