🌟 A Festive Musical Celebration at the Carol Service: £325.87 Raised! 🎶🎄
On Monday, 8th December, our school community gathered at the beautiful All Saints Parish Church in Maidstone for the annual Christmas Carol Service; an inspiring celebration of music and festive songs, alongside traditional readings and congregational hymns. With an audience of nearly a thousand and over one hundred and fifty performers, the atmosphere was nothing short of magical.
The service opened with a seasonal medley performed by the thirty-piece Concert Orchestra, setting a jaunty tone complete with glockenspiel! As the lights dimmed, the congregation rose for Once in Royal David’s city, and Melanie Y (Year 10) sang the haunting, beautiful solo verse before leading the chamber choir procession, marking the beginning of the service.
A particular highlight this year was the exceptional singing from the Year 7 choristers, who performed their Elizabethan Rounds (featuring a beautiful solo by Harper M (Year 7)) and The King is Born Tonight with remarkable enthusiasm and confidence. Both pieces were especially arranged for them by the talented Mrs Hutchings, and their energy lit up the church – a testament to their hard work this term.
The Chamber Choir, whose numbers have greatly flourished this term under the direction of Miss Morris, gave stunning performances throughout the service, with beautifully blended and expressive performances of, Mary Did You Know?, Silent Night (featuring a solo by Dylan J (Year 12)), and One Single Light.
We were also privileged to enjoy a series of outstanding solo and duet performances from Emme P (Year 8), O Holy Night, Lucia E and Elouise H (Year 9), It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Thea L (Year 10) & Bea L-T (Year 10), Last Christmas, and Ella M (Year 8), Winter Wonderland; each delivered with great artistry and poise in front of such a large audience.
The service also featured memorable ensemble performances from the thriving Stage Door Choir, who brought a touch of warmth and nostalgia with, Somewhere in My Memory and, Underneath the Tree. There was a captivating, and highly skilled a cappella arrangement of, Carol of the Bells, sung by; Abigail R, Emily P, Eleanor H, Aimee F, Rachel J (all Year 10), Isabella-Paige F (Year 8) and Melanie Y (Year 9) and a rousing performance from the Folk Collective of In Dulci Jubilo, featuring solo parts from Ollie B (Year 13) mandolin, Cassie P (Year 13) oboe, Roo S (Year 11) flute, in addition to expert playing by Mrs Elliott (recorders). We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs Elliott, who accompanied the congregational carols and hymns, and concluded the service with a stirring performance of Bach’s C minor organ prelude.
The traditional six lessons were expertly read by Amaya A (Year 7), Moriah P (Year 10), Naomi R (Year 7), Samuel T (Year 13) and members of our wider school community, and additionally, a lovely rendition of T’was Night Before Christmas given by Emme P (Year 8).
What a wonderful night at our annual Carol Service! A huge thank you to all the incredibly talented students and dedicated staff who made the Festive Musical Celebration possible. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents and carers who attended – your presence made the evening so special.
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised a total of £325.87 from refreshment donations and the retiring collection. This sum forms part of our RAG week charity efforts and will support our partnership school – The Himalayan Milan School in Nepal, as well as the important work of the Youth Sports Trust and Period Poverty UK.
We are so proud of our community’s spirit of ‘Non Sibi Sed Omnibus’ (Not for oneself but for all)!
