“…a chorus of angels… it all felt like shimmering silver clouds in the distance slowly building and moving closer.”
– ClassikOn, 2024 –
As far as traditions go, ‘Lessons and Carols’ is a young one – just over a century old – but its comforting format and familiar music has earned it a placed in hearts worldwide. In this new bespoke program for the Chamber Singers, reader John Bell and organist David Drury, Brett Weymark has taken the Lessons and Carols concept and given it a philosophical twist.
Familiar, traditional carols will be interspersed with readings that reflect on the broader meaning of Christmas and music as a symbol of harmony and collaboration. And because it wouldn’t be Christmas without audience participation, we’re including some singalong favourites to send you out into the summer night with a spring in your step.
Join us at St Philip’s Church in York Street, Sydney, or at St Saviour’s Cathedral in Goulburn.
Thursday 17 December – 7.00pm
Friday 18 December – 7.00pm
St Philip’s Church, York Street, Sydney
Saturday 19 December – 2.00pm
St Saviour’s Cathedral, 170 Bourke Street, Goulburn
PROGRAM
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Blessed Song of God
Boris ORD Adam Lay Ybounden
TRAD. arr. Charles Wood A Virgin most pure
William MATHIAS A Babe is Born
TRAD. arr. David Willcocks
I Saw Three Ships
Sussex Carol
Arthur SULLIVAN arr. David Willcocks It came upon a midnight clear
Michael PRAETORIUS Es ist ein Rose entsprungen
John TAVENER The Lamb
ANON. ed. John Stevens There is no rose
John RUTTER Mary’s Lullaby
TRAD. arr. June Nixon The Holly and the Ivy
Franz Xaver GRUBER arr. David Drury Silent Night
Gustav HOLST arr. Mack Wilberg In the Bleak Midwinter
James WHITBOURN The Magi’s Dream
TRAD. arr. Stuart Nicholson Ding Dong Merrily on High
with readings of poetry and Psalms
and singalong carols:
Once in Royal David’s City
While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
ARTISTS
Brett Weymark conductor
John Bell reader
David Drury organ
Chamber Singers
TICKETS
A booking fee of $8.95 per transaction applies.
