In Chapel on Monday morning, with much anticipation, the winners of this Tuesday 9 December saw St Mary’s transformed into a festive flurry of colour, creativity, and Christmas The School Carol Service is always one of the highlights of the year, and Sunday afternoon’s celebration certainly lived up to expectations.
It was a joy to join in the traditional carols, with the brass quartet adding a festive warmth and richness to the singing. Yet it was the choral performances that truly shone. The Chamber Choir sang four pieces with great poise, with the selections from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols proving particularly beautiful. The Junior Consort also excelled in Goodall’s When You Sing, delivering the final unaccompanied verse with a spine-tingling use of silence.
Thank you to all the students who read so beautifully, and to the members of the Chamber Choir and Junior Consort, who have been preparing diligently since the start of the Autumn Term. Special thanks go to our talented Music Department, led by Miss Bray-Arthur, for bringing the service together, to Mrs Dudley-Fryar for directing the Junior Consort, and to Mr Joyce for his superb organ accompaniment.
The Carol Service is always a cherished moment for our whole school community to gather, reflect, and share in the spirit of Christmas. This festive feeling continued at the drinks parties kindly hosted by the PGSM back at school.
Father Jonathan Beach, School Chaplain
