Hereford Combined Schools’ Carol Service – 29th November 2018
29/11/2018
By 2018 Nathaniel Hone
Led by the Herefordshire Cathedral School and its Director of Music, David Evans, the following choirs came together to sing both separately and as a magnificent combined choir.
Clyro Church in Wales Primary School,
Bishop Hooper Church of England Primary School
Pembridge Church of England Primary School
St. Pauls Church of England Primary School
Bishops Castle Primary Primary School
Mordiford Church of England Primary School
Cradley Church of England Primary School
Marlbrook Primary School
Wellington Primary School
Cross Ash Primary School
Hereford Cathedral Junior School
Hereford Cathedral School
Herefordshire Junior Your choir
Saturday Singers
Cantabile
Each sang on their own most beautifully. During the singing of the Trinidadian carol “The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy”, a single poppy petal, left over from the Remembrance service on the 11th, fell gently down upon the choir. Not scripted and not noticed by most, but it linked in my mind two events and brought a tear to the eye.
The finale was the combined choirs singing the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah. The Dean, in his blessing said that Handel himself would have approved of the energy and enthusiasm on display. Nobody seemed to have the music in front of them but all seemed to know when to sing in their section and when not to. As we left, we wiped more joyful tears from our eyes.
Much was done by many to prepare for what was a event with may complicated manoeuvres between very well rehearsed performances. They deserve much thanks.
And there to provide an inspirational setting is our Cathedral. Please support it so that it can continue to be the centre of the community for the next one thousand years.
