8 December 2015
St Helen’s Church, Abingdon was packed for our Carol Concert under the directorship of new Head of Music, Debbie Rose, (who also composed some of the carols). The programme included a rich variety of congregational carols, Christmas songs, seasonal readings and instrumental pieces for groups and soloists. As always, we started with Once in Royal David’s City, Dominic sang the solo. Other soloists performed the violing piece Czardas and a vocal quartet sang words by G.K. Chesterton set to music by Debbie.
The different sections and choirs each sang several songs including I wish I was a shepherd from Y3-4, Winter Wonderland from Y5-6; Y7-8 sang Gaudete, a French carol (dir. Lynne) and White Christmas to which the congregation all joined in. Junior Choir sang out in Ring Out the Bells, the Seniors performed It happened long ago in Bethlehem and Chamber Choir harmonised beautifully in Carol of the Bells. Orchestra, Jazz Band, Brass and Guitar groups all performed enthusiastically, and the Staff Choir sang John Lennon’s Happy Xmas, War is Over to popular acclaim.
Thank you to all the peris and staff who took part and worked tirelessly behind the scenes rehearsing the boys, and also accompanist Chris Fletcher-Campbell from Abingdon School and Bethan Rose.
The retiring collection was made in aid of RDA. Thank you for your generosity.
