Nothing marks the end of the Michaelmas Term and the countdown to Christmas like our King’s Ely Senior Carol Service!
Students in Years 9-13, staff, families, Old Eleans, governors and friends of the school packed inside Ely Cathedral for the poignant event this morning (Friday, December 16th).
Among today’s guests was London-based musician, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, who is a singer, composer and choir director. Joanna attended the service to witness our Chamber Choir singing a wonderful new carol that she wrote – ‘Advent ‘O’ Carol’. The song features on an album by Tenebrae under the direction of conductor, Nigel Short, who is a King’s Ely parent.
Joanna said: “I was delighted when I heard that the Chamber Choir would be singing my Advent ‘O’ Carol and decided to brave the arctic weather and drive up from snowy Hertfordshire for the service; it was worth it! The Choir sang absolutely beautifully, creating exactly the right atmosphere of quiet anticipation and longing which the piece conveys. My sincere thanks to Neil Porter-Thaw and to the Choir for a truly memorable performance. The whole service was fabulous from start to finish.”
Our Chapel Choir and boys’ a cappella group, The King’s Barbers, sang too, and congregational carols included ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, and ‘Hark the Herald Angel Sing’. The service also featured prayers and readings by students and members of staff.
Although our newsfeed and social media platforms will continue to be busy over the festive period, now seems like a perfect opportunity to wish members of our school community from all corners of the world a very Happy Christmas. We hope that your holiday season is full of peace, joy and happiness!
