Christmas Carols in Worcester Cathedral
Nothing demonstrates RGS’s Christmas festivities better than our Carol Service which took place on the evening of Thursday 15 December in Worcester Cathedral.
Parents and friends of the School joined us for a wonderful event which showcased our choirs under the direction of Director of Music, Mr Jonathan Soman and teacher of Music, Mrs Claire Spencer. The singing was quite simply magnificent with more than 180 pupils from Year Seven to Upper Sixth, thirteen staff and even some former pupils joining the choirs and playing brass instruments to accompany the four congregational carols. There was also a special guest – former Director of Music, Mike Hamilton.
The Carol service opened with a moving arrangement of ‘Away in a Manger’ performed by the Sixth Form singers, before the traditional solo verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, which was sung beautifully by Cleo Whitbread in Year Eight. As the service progressed, the Chamber Choir sang ‘E’en so Lord Jesus, Quickly Come’ by Paul Manz, a spirited arrangement of the ‘Sussex Carol’, arr. Chilcott and the spritely and popular ‘Carol of the Bells’. The Senior Choir sang the rousing ‘Gaudete’ and the more delicate ‘Wexford Carol’, arr. Wilberg.
The Junior Choir excellently performed ‘Sweet was the Song’, from ‘Make We Merry’ by David Bednall before the Junior and Senior Choirs joined together (around 180 singers!) to sing ‘Love Came Down at Christmas’, by John Rutter. Finally, the Carol Service was brought to a close by a moving performance of ‘Away in the Manger’ by Sixth Form Upper Voices.
During the service, there were excellent readings, both from the Bible and of Christian poetry, from the Head Boy and Head Girl as well as students from the Lower and Middle School, the Headmaster, and the Chair of Governors, Mr Quentin Poole, as well as Mr Richard Houchin. We also welcomed Fasha Mahjoor, former pupil and Honorary Patron of RGS Worcester all the way from California.
The evening was a superb culmination to the music-making at RGS Worcester this term, as well as the perfect way for the whole School community to herald Christmas time. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this very festive occasion for the School. Thanks must also go to the Cathedral and Revd Canon, John Paul Hoskins, for welcoming us for the evening.
