Capacity congregations enjoy captivating Carol Services
The awe-inspiring St George’s Church welcomed the SGS community for the annual Senior School and Junior School Carol Services.
Senior School
There was not a seat to spare at the Senior School Carol Service as the congregation enjoyed performances from our talented choirs and readings from pupils from a wide range of year groups.
The service began with a welcome from the Chaplain before Chamber Choir delivered the first of their four songs of the evening, ‘Gaudete’ (Anon). The other pieces they performed were ‘A Boy Was Born’ (Todd), ‘Angels’ Carol’ (Rutter) and ‘Lullay My Liking’ (Holst).
Other ensembles to perform during the service were the Junior Chamber Choir who sang ‘All On A Silent Night’ (Slagle-Mayo), the First Year Choir with ‘Masters In This Hall’ (arr. Newlove) and Chorus who delivered ‘Ding Dong! Merrily On High’ (arr. Nicholson).
Audience participation was enjoyed as everyone flexed their vocal muscles with six congregational carols: ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’, ‘Good King Wenceslas’, ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’, and ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’.
Heads of School May Nassar and Sachin Gholkar, First Year Sam Faulkner, Second Year Joanna Oluwakayode, Fourth Year Josh Burgess, and Fifth Year Harriet Thomson offered up readings throughout the evening. The Head, Mrs Sarah Capwell also delivered a reading.
It was a delight to welcome back so many Old Stops to the service, a festive catch up with friends added to the warm atmosphere.
The organist for the evening was Mr Neil Taylor and organ music beforehand and in the voluntary was performed by Sixth Former Nathan Monk.
The design for the front cover of the order of service was lovingly created by Fourth Year pupil Emma Griffths.
Junior School
The Junior School Carol Service was opened by a trio of solo treble voices – Ben C, Adam U and Samuel L – with a sonorous medieval plainsong. This was followed by an exquisite rendition of the opening verse of ‘Once In Royal David’s City’ from Bethany K, who was enthusiastically joined for the later verses by the organ, choirs and congregation.
The evening was treat for the senses, with inspirational music and readings based around the Christmas story. The church was beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and coloured lights, adding to the sense of occasion.
The Head of Music in the Junior School, Miss Anastasia Micklethwaite, had chosen music from the Middle Ages to modern day, with a theme of ‘A Flower in Winter’, and with arrangements and some lyrics written especially for the children.
The church was full to capacity and the congregation enjoyed a wealth of musical items presented by each year group, incorporating a range of soloists: vocalists Joshua L and Olachi E, French horn player Hugh C-P, clarinettist Zoyah A, pianist Lin D, glockenspiel players Jack H and Chloe L, the Year 3 and 4 Choir, the Year 5 and 6 Choir and the Orchestra.
The musical items were directed by Miss Micklethwaite, assisted by Miss Emily Owen (piano), Mrs Victoria Bickerton (violin) and Mr James Hibbert (organ).
The School Chaplain Reverend Liz Leaver gave the Blessing and Head of the Junior School Mr Matthew Copping welcomed everyone and also gave a vote of thanks.
Reflecting on the service Miss Micklethwaite said: “The children conducted themselves so well and sang and played so beautifully. They worked very hard to make this wonderful annual event a success and I am very proud of them.”
