The Carol Service provided a wonderful end to the Michaelmas Term and the start of the Christmas holidays. This year the service was held at Ascot Priory across the road from School and began with a beautiful rendition of Adolphe Adam’s haunting O Holy Night setting the scene before Dasha (Form I) sang the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City. In keeping with the long-established tradition, the choirs and congregation joined in from the second verse, culminating in the well-known David Willcocks descant soaring above the last verse.
Christmas readings were given by representatives from all areas of the School including the Headmaster, the Head Girl and students. These readings outlined the Christmas story and were interspersed with a wide range of carols sung by our Choirs. The Top 12 sang John Leavitt’s arrangement of The Angel Gabriel, and the Senior Choir sang a traditional Heathfield arrangement of Do You Hear What I Hear. Form II sang the poignant Candlelight Carol by Simon Mold, while the Form I Choir sang Glory to God by Beryl Price and the Staff Choir sang the very difficult Robin Highcock arrangement of Personent Hodie. A particular highlight was Star Carol by John Rutter with the flute obbligato parts played by Mima and Mrs Nesbit and the Sussex Carol in David Willcock’s timeless arrangement sung by the joint choirs and accompanied in the last verse by the Orchestra.
The final carol, a rousing rendition of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing rounded off the service and, indeed, the term, whilst the Orchestra’s touching playing of Carol of the Bells by Leontovich sent the congregation home with the excitement of the Christmas Story and the Festive Season foremost in their hearts and minds.
