Carol Service Fills Worcester Cathedral with Festive Spirit

On Wednesday evening, RGS pupils, parents, families, alumni, friends, staff, former staff and Governors filled Worcester Cathedral for our annual Carol Service. This is one of my personal highlights of the school year, bringing hundreds from the RGS community together to celebrate Christmastime through music, readings and prayers, and this years’ service offered a beautiful hour to reflect and rejoice together.

The service began with an Introit – ‘Dormi Jesu’ by Rubbra – sung by the Chamber Choir before the traditional ‘Once in Royal’ solo was sung very confidently by Year Eight pupil Sydney Cole. The service proceeded with traditional lessons and carols, including ‘Rocking Carol’ sung by the Junior Choir and ‘My Lord Has Come’ by Will Todd sung with great poise and precision by the four solo voices of the Upper Voices Vocal Ensemble. The Chamber Choir sang ‘The Lamb’ by Tavener and the spirited ‘Star Carol’ by John Rutter, whilst the Senior Choir sang the lively ‘O Be Joyful’ by Toby Young, ably accompanied by Sasha Penlington on the piano, and a colourful and dramatic version of ‘Good King Wenceslas’. All 185 singers, including many teachers and several former pupils, joined together to sing Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of ‘Away in a Manger’.

The four congregational carols were accompanied by a brass ensemble of six of our most advanced brass players, whilst the organ in the service was played by former RGS Chemistry teacher Mr John Wilderspin, clocking up his 43rd RGS Carol Service this year. Festive readings from the Bible, as well as some poems, were read by students from Year Seven up to Upper Sixth, the Headmaster, the Chair of Governors, the Chair of the RGSW and AO Foundation and also Geography Teacher Mrs Chloe Bishop, who has been a faithful member of the choirs for the duration of her nine year’s working at RGS and who leaves the school at the end of term.

I would like to offer my personal thanks to all the teachers who support our choral singing, especially Mrs Claire Spencer who runs Junior Choir and conducted three pieces in this year’s Carol Service, and also Mr Adlington for leading the brass so well. The biggest congratulations go to the 175-or-so pupils who, week in and week out, attend choir rehearsals and who make wonderful music together, culminating this term in the Carol Service which is always a special event for so many in our school community. We, in the Music Department, wish you all a very merry Christmas

Mr Jonathan Soman, Director of Music