Picture, if you will, an ancient cathedral plunged into darkness; the only light comes from the dancing flames of the candles held aloft by the congregation. From out of the silence, and the dark, two voices begin singing the first verse of Once In Royal David’s City. The voices soar into the recessed depths of the vaulted roof; the second verse begins, the same melody now supported with rich harmonies. The Carol Service is underway.
The Chamber Choir rose to the occasion in admirable form, beginning the service with Tavener’s Today the Virgin, delivered with punch and rhythmic vitality – having performed it this time last week at the Advent Concert, it’s become comfortably familiar, and the group delivered it with great confidence, each lengthening ‘Alleluia’ growing and filling the Cathedral with ringing harmony.
On a roll, now, the next solo choir carol, The Holly and the Ivy, virtually sprang from the page, and was by turns vivacious, playful and wonderfully legato in all the right places.
And my piece, A Babe Is Born, had an air of medieval magic, the second sopranos and altos evoking the distant choir of angels abroad on a winter’s night, celebrating Christ’s birth, and the whole choir dancing as one with the feel of the rhythms throughout. We decided, in rehearsal that afternoon, to give the final gesture, a three-note rising phrase on ‘cardine!’ more impetus by half-singing, half-declaiming the phrase – notes were less important than the drive of the phrase in the larger-scale surroundings of the Cathedral – and the final, exultant shout echoed wonderfully round the Nave for a good eight seconds before receding.
Traditionally, the University Carol Service celebrates the multi-culturalism of the University community by having Silent Night in a variety of different languages; this presented something of a linguistic minefield for everyone, with some fairly exotic verses being dealt with admirably, if not necessarily with quite the proper pronunciation!
As the service ended, and the congregation left the Cathedral with their candles re-lit during O Come All Ye Faithful, there was a sense that Christmas really had, finally, begun. The University community had come together in words and music to reflect on the season; and as the sea of dwindling candle-flames receded down the nave and out into the winter night, the spirit of Christmas went with them.
With thanks to the Choir for all their hard work over the course of this term; it’s been a great success: friendships have been forged, great performances have been achieved, meat and mead have been shared, and the group have done themselves proud. They have become a family: looking after and supporting one another, and achieving great things together.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
