If we were supposed to sing nine carols at tonight’s Nine Lessons and Carols service, then we went a bit wrong! Six carols and six descants along with seven anthems! It was a lovely service and the church was packed.

Our anthems were;
Torches by John Joubert
Remember, O thou man by Thomas Ravenscroft
Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Faure
Long, long ago by Herbert Howells
The Shepherds’ Farewell by Hector Berlioz
Sir Christemas by William Mathias
O Gladsome Light by Harold Darke
I am sure some reading will comment on lack of female composers, but I loved the choices and thoroughly enjoyed every piece we sang, each appropriate for their place in the service. I’m starting to recognise names of composers who have composed anthems we sing and organ pieces I’ve played and find it very interesting discovering their various genres.
I was very privileged to play the voluntary at the start and end of the service. I don’t believe we’ve sung any Philip Moore who composed Paean which I played at the end, maybe one day. I look forward to hearing his recent composition, commissioned by Kings College dedicated to Sir Stephen Cleobury at their service on Christmas Eve.

Sje
Nice programme. Merry Christmas!
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Lovely programme. Have a super Christmas, Anna.
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Happy Christmas to you!
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Anna Well played again. A packed church is somehow more daunting than a half full one, but you played with such confidence. You say you haven’t sung any pieces by Philip Moore, but I think the Responses count!
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Ah yes of course, but I’d like to sing an Anthem!
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Happy Christmas Anna
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Happy Christmas to you too!
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It was a very uplifting beautiful service and I’m sure everyone there appreciated the amount of effort which went into preparing it. A lovely start to Christmas
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