Carol Service 2023

As always, this was a magical way to end the autumn term, with our annual Junior House Carol Service at St Anne’s Church.

All children from Year 3-6 embraced the fabulous Christmas tradition of singing some beautiful carols in this stunning setting. Every choir member sang with enthusiasm, energy, and with heartfelt emotion throughout the service, and as always it was lovely to have Year 6 leading the way with their vocal groups and confident readings.

The service opened with the usual carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ which was performed wonderfully by this year’s soloist, Vaish. You could have heard a pin drop as she sang out the first verse A cappella, such a brave thing to do; well done!

The whole of the Junior House performed some much-loved carols:
See Amid the Winter Snow, Oh Holy Night, The First Nowell, The Zither Carol, Gaudete, The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy, Reindeer on the Roof, and of course to finish; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. This year, we really pushed the standard for higher-level harmonies, and even had a go at the main descant for ‘Hark the Herald. Well done to all the lovely Year 6 vocal groups who bravely stood at the front of the church to deliver their verse during these carols. I am delighted with how the combined Junior House choir sounded, and I think this was the most enthusiastic year to date.

Year 3 and 4 sang their favourite carol together, The Calypso Carol, whilst upper school performed the well-known classic The Sans Day Carol. Again, their harmonies were challenging, but they managed to perform it with confidence throughout.

For the individual pieces this year, Year 3 performed the energetic carol Deck the Halls, whilst Year 4 did the enthusiastic Joy to the World. Upper school were given the challenge of singing pieces in different languages, and they certainly stepped up to it! Year 5 sang In Dulci Jubilo, and Year 6 sang Il Est Ne le Divine Enfant which was a new piece for our Carol Service. All the year groups did marvellously, and I am proud of what they have achieved by learning these songs from memory over such a short term.

At the start of the Carol Service, our wonderful String Group and Wind Band played a lovely selection of Christmas music. It is great to see so many young musicians at such a high standard, and I look forward to them playing for our various events next term.

The standard of this concert continues to grow year on year, and I am delighted with the fact we have reached new heights with singing at the school.

A huge thank you to all staff who supported rehearsals, and the main performance, for this event, and of course to parents for your continued support of our young musicians at the school.

I wish all of you a very happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you at our Spring Concerts next term.