SGS community comes together for Carol Services
The atmospheric and impressive St George’s Church played host to our annual Senior and Junior School Carol Services.
Senior School
The congregation at the Senior School Carol Service enjoyed an inspiring evening of carols, readings and musical performances.
The service commenced with the Chamber Choir’s version of ‘Gaudete’ before the congregation sang ‘Once In Royal David’s City’.
Before the next carol, ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’, Headmaster Dr Paul Owen and Chaplain Rev Liz Leaver delivered The Bidding.
The Chamber Choir sang three other pieces during the service: ‘Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow’, ‘My Lord Has Come’ and ‘A Great And Mighty Wonder’ whilst the Chorus thrilled the audience with ‘And The Glory Of The Lord’.
The beautiful sound of ‘Personent Hodie’ by the First Year Choir and ‘We Three Kings’ by the Lower School Singers filled the aww-inspiring venue and the congregation exercised their vocal cords with wonderful versions of ‘Good King Wenceslas’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen’, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’.
Readings were delivered by Head Boy Charlie Harrison, Head Girl Ella Glazier, Fourth Years Will Harvey and Will Hadfield, Third Year Molly Keenan, First Year Aoife Plaut and the Headmaster.
Junior School
Children from Years Three to Six treated the audience to a seamless performance of readings, singing and orchestral music, led by Junior School Head of Music Miss Micklethwaite.
As the congregation fell silent, soloist Sophia H opened the evening’s festivities with a beautiful performance of the first verse of ‘Once In Royal David’s City’. The Year Five and Six Choir delivered the second verse before being joined by the rest of the congregation.
The Year Five and Six Choir performed ‘Ave Regina’, with soloist Emily K, and ‘Cantemos a Maria’ whilst Year Three and Four pupils sang ‘What Shall I Give To The Child In The Manger’ with a solo flute performance by Maeve S.
The Year Three and Four Choir delivered ‘Away In A Manger’ and Year Five and Six pupils sang ‘Sans Day Carol’ which included soloists Sophia G, Eleanor H, Sophia H, Emily K, Katy P and Maeve S.
Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’, which included a violin solo from Christina W, was wonderfully performed by the Orchestra.
Readings throughout the evening were delivered by Stanley C, Erin, Katy P, Amelia B, Eva L, Head Boy William L and Head Girl Eva M and Esther G recited a prayer.
Rev Leaver gave a Christmas Blessing and the audience joined the children for a beautiful version of ‘Silent Night’ and a rousing rendition of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’.
At the end of the service, Junior School Headmaster Mr Copping echoed the congregation’s thoughts on the pride in the children’s performances, their hard work in creating the evening and how thankful we all are to have had the opportunity to enjoy the service, and many magical moments, at such a beautiful venue.
