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