Birmingham Bach Choir get into the Christmas spirit on Sunday 15 December 2024 with their annual Nine Lessons and Carols.
The free entry traditional service combines carols with readings and this year takes place at St. Alban’s Church, Birmingham, from 3.30pm.
Among the songs on the programme are such seasonal favourites as O Come All ye faithful, Ding Dong Merrily On High and Hark The Herald Angels Sing.
Several less familiar tunes will also make an appearance, including John Rutter’s gentle Mary’s Lullaby, 17th century composer Richard Dering’s stirring Quem vidistis, pastores? (Who have you seen, shepherds?), and John Gardner’s arrangement of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.
With visitors encouraged to join in for the well-known carols, it’s an afternoon event that evokes the true spirit of Christmas, as well as offering attendees a chance to hear one of the region’s most lauded choirs.
An architectural and cultural gem situated in Highgate, close to Birmingham city centre, St. Alban’s Church was opened in 1881 to cater for the city’s rapidly expanding inner city population. An impressive Grade II* listed Gothic Revival church, it boasts many fine features, including stunning ornamental screens by Kate and Myra Bunce – artist siblings strongly associated with the Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite movements – and stained glass windows by Morris and Co and John Hardman and Co.
Philip Bellshaw, Chair of Birmingham Bach Choir, said: “We’re very much looking forward to returning to St. Alban’s Church for our annual festive appearance. The service offers an ideal opportunity to get away from the hubbub of the nearby city centre, reflect on the previous year and look ahead to the coming months, as well as enjoy some beautiful music associated with this Christmas period.”
◼ Birmingham Bach Choir: Nine Lessons And Carols, with organist Paul Carr, takes place on Sunday 15 December 2024 at St. Alban’s Church, Conybere Street, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0YH from 3.30pm-5pm. Admission is free (with a collection). No tickets, or prior booking, required. For more information, see: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com
LISTINGS
Suggested Categories: CLASSICAL / CONCERTS / FREE ACTIVITIES / CHRISTMAS
Sunday 15 December 2024
Birmingham Bach Choir: Nine Lessons and Carols
Join Birmingham Bach Choir for a traditional festive service, featuring a selection of much-loved carols.
St. Alban’s Church, Conybere Street, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0YH
3.30pm
Admission FREE (donations welcomed)
Details: birmingham.bachchoir.com
No booking required.
For all enquiries, please email: tickets@birmingham.bachchoir.com
Paul Spicer: conductor
Birmingham Bach Choir
Paul Carr: organist
ABOUT BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR
As one of the UK’s leading large chamber choirs, Birmingham Bach Choir has been contributing to the musical life of the West Midlands since 1919, making it one of the longest established musical groups in the area. Although the main focus is the Baroque period (especially JS Bach), the choir performs music spanning 600 years, including 20th and 21st century works, and has premiered many new choral works.
2019 was the choir’s centenary, a year which saw them make a series of special appearances, including a Gala Concert at Lichfield Cathedral and a performance for Royalty.
The 2022-2023 Season marked Conductor Paul Spicer’s 30th anniversary with the choir and included the first West Midlands performance of Rachmaninoff’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in Liturgical Slavonic in living memory.
Social Media:
facebook.com/Birmingham-Bach-Choir-307760255351/
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2024-2025 Season
Coming soon …
Saturday 1 February 2025
Come & Sing! Handel’s Coronation Anthems
Selly Oak Methodist Church, Birmingham
Saturday 5 April 2025, 7pm
Bach: B Minor Mass
Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield, Staffs
Saturday 5 July 2025, 7pm
Summer Concert
Malvern Priory, Malvern, Worcs