Sing amid the Winter's Snow

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 19 December 2010 21:57:43

The heavens opened on Friday evening and the snow began to fall heavily on the town. But, being the choir party, most of the choristers decided to brave the weather and turn up anyway. Which is more than could be said for the congregation at morning service on Sunday. One of our oldest ladies, leaning heavily on two sticks, managed to walk the half-a-mile to church through the snow, putting everyone else to shame. Fortunately, our two anthem soloists (one soprano, one tenor) were able to get to church, so 'The Angel Gabriel' (arr. Sweeney) proceeded as planned. By the afternoon, the roads were less icy, although there was still much snow on the paths and in the fields. A large choir made it to the packed church for the service of 'Nine Lessons and Carols'. The bellringers, however, were from more isolated farms and hamlets, and had to send their apologies. The nine lessons were read by the young people and their parents, interspersed with well-known congregational carols and the following choir carols: 'All this night' (Walton), 'The Zither Carol' (arr. Sargeant), 'A Maiden most Gentle', 'Silent Night' (arr. Sweeney), 'Ding Dong Merrily on High', 'The Holly and the Ivy'. The vicar declared it the best carol service he'd sung in, probably, we suspect, because it contained all his favourites.