Every year since 2014, Cantabile has sung for this traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols in St. Martin’s Parish Church (except in 2020 when prevented by the pandemic) and it will be continuing this pattern this year – the first such service with the Rev Pete Stone as Rector.
As always, many lovely carols are included in this popular Christmas event. The majority are well-known English twentieth-century pieces by Holst, Joubert, Poston, Bennett & John Rutter, but Cantabile will also perform more contemporary carol settings by Bob Chilcott, Alec Redshaw and the American composer and arranger, Mack Wilberg. Further back in time Cantabile will mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd (1543-1623) by performing his beautiful Lullaby.
Before the service, from about 5.45pm, Graham Caldbeck will play seasonal organ pieces by Pachelbel, Bach, Brahms and Hilary Tann.
Cantabile say: ‘We hope that the congregation will once again be in good voice, to raise the roof singing some favourite congregational carols too! Last year the packed church sang magnificently – an experience we hope to repeat.’
More information about the choir can be found on its website at https://www.cantabile.org.je where it is also possible to sign up to receive regular choir newsletters with information about the choir’s performances.
The service will be followed by mulled wine, fruit juice and mince pies, provided by the choir as a thank-you both to St. Martin’s Church for allowing them to rehearse in the church week-by-week, and to the choir’s many supporters.
An exhibition of cartoons by Henry Thomas Bosdet for his stained glass windows which grace St Martin’s Church will also be available to view following the service.
Do join us for this heart-warming annual Christmas celebration – you will be most welcome.
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