Keep a date: Christmas carol services and concerts
It is music that seems to be the first indication that Christmas is near with radio stations launching into their endless Christmas play lists. For those who look forward to the music that brings wonderful memories and the meaning of the season, here’s our roundup of a selected list of Christmas carol services and concerts.
December 5 to December 10
S. Thomas’ College (Mount Lavinia)
Date : December 3 (Sunday)
Time : 6 p.m.
Venue : The Chapel of the Transfiguration (College chapel)
In the style of King’s College, Cambridge, the S. Thomas’ College service usually starts with “Once in royal David’s city” ending with “O come, all ye faithful”. The key feature of this service is the enthusiastic congregational participation.
Methodist College
Date : December 5 (Tuesday)
Time : 6 p.m.
Venue : Methodist Church, Kollupitiya
Champions in the Asia Pacific Choir Games (October 2017) in the Youth Choirs category and winners of the Grand Prix of Nations in the same category under the direction of SanjeevJayaratnam, the Methodist College choir is gearing up to retell the story of the birth of Jesus through their music. “We usually match the songs to the 9 lessons,” Sanjeev shares.
The service this year is full of “different arrangements – modern and classical. We really try to communicate what we are singing and transfer emotions.” For example in ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ Sanjeev teaches the girls to try to embody each character in this lyrical grapevine and their interactions with the other characters are reflected in their singing. With eight years of training the choir Sanjeev humbly adds “I do a lot of different things but I primarily consider myself to be a teacher first.” The accolades apart, his most rewarding moments are when even his introverted students blossom, adding that this is largely seen when they shine at their carol services.
Gateway College (Colombo)
Date : December 6 (Wednesday)
Time : 5 p.m.
Venue : The Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour
(Bauddhaloka Mawatha)
This year the choristers adorned in white, silver and blue will sing more contemporary takes on well-loved classics ‘Silent Night’, ‘Joy to the world’ and ‘So this is Christmas’ etc.However it is their performance of ‘Noel’ by Chris Tomlin that has their co-choir director Nicole Liyanage excited. “I’m looking forward to hearing it in church,” he says –adding it’s a “goose bump worthy” arrangement. Look out too for their “complicated arrangement of ‘Long time ago in Bethlehem’.”
The year has been exceptional for the Gateway choir which won a gold medal in the “Folklore with accompaniment” category in the Choir Games. Co-choir director DeshaniWaidyalankara, reveals that the choir will be singing a mix of Sinhala, English, Tamil carols and even an Italian carol “Tuscendidallestelle”.
Ladies’ College
Date : December 6 (Wednesday)
Time : 6.30 p.m.
Venue : Ladies College Chapel
Following the King’s College, Cambridge -“A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols”, the traditional carol service will also include more secular congregational carols and works by English composer John Rutter. “This year our theme will be based on hope,” Choir director Anushka Abhayaratne says. The choir won gold medals in the categories “Gospel, Spiritual, Music of Spirit and Faith” and “Children’s Choirs” in the Grand Prix of Nations at the Choir Games and will be performing one of their winning items at the carol service.
To make the experience a “bit more unique” Anushka reveals that this year readers will recite passages in different positions of the chapel whilst the carol arrangements will incorporate the flute and violin.“Our focus is glorifying grace and God,” Anushka shares adding that in their multi-religious school they attempt to inculcate lessons of humility and use their talents to glorify God’s name.
Bishop’s College
Date : December 6 (Wednesday)
Time : 6 p.m.
Venue : Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatte
Choral director Denham Pereira reveals that the Bishop’s choir will take on an Advent theme – “Darkness to light” this year. “It’s a beautiful theme if done correctly,” he says – a spiritual reminder to the congregation of its significance before “diving into the Christmas season”.
The service which will be divided into 2 sections will feature an element of surprise, Denham adds. “It’s not your traditional Christmas service.”
St. Joseph’s College
Date : December 9 (Saturday)
Time : 6.30 p.m.
Venue : Fr. Stanley Abeysekara Sports Complex
Known for being a “good classical choir” St. Joseph’s College choir had to shift their service to the large sports arena in 1997 to accommodate the congregation of over 3000! One of the major events in the school calendar, this year the service will have the readings on a screen to create a more child friendly atmosphere. A repertoire of English, Sinhala, Tamil plus German, African and Latin carols and hymns feature in the service.
“We’re doing some beautiful classical pieces,” choir master Francis De Almeida says, mentioning Handel’s ‘For Unto us a child is born’ and John Rutter’s ‘Candlelight Carol’. At this year’s carol service 130 primary school children, with angel bands around their foreheads and cassocks, will be seated in the tiers above the stage. Adding to the powerhouse participation will be 65 students from the St. Joseph’s choir, 30 members of the Old Joes Choir and 40 teachers and backing by “Unique Sounds”. “The production is a huge affair,” Francis laughs. Their theme for the evening will be “Mysterium Fidei” (mystery of faith). “If you don’t have a mystery of faith we don’t have a religion,” he adds. Joining the over 200 choristers is the “Lumen choir singers” from Maradana – a choir of visually impaired elderly singers.
Trinity College (Kandy)
Date : December 10 (Sunday)
Time : 6.30 p.m.
Venue : Trinity College Chapel
Trinity College Kandy’s “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” commences with a spiritually charged atmosphere as a young treble soloist sings ‘Once in royal David’s city’.“There is always a full time engagement at Trinity,” choral director Lasantha Tennekoon says, adding that despite their classical approach, “the choir is very versatile.”
As they unfold the story of Christmas, Lasatha’s vision is to preserve the spiritual meaning of Christmas.
Simple decor, lamps and flowers and the ethereal beauty of the choir’s harmonies will make it “a magical evening” he adds.
Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour Carol Service (Colombo)
Date : December 10 (Sunday)
Time : 5.30 p.m.
Venue : Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour choir (Bauddhaloka Mawatha)
Under Choir Director Ishan De Lanerolle, the Cathedral’s carol service will feature the church choir with an interesting new accompaniment of the flute, a brass quintet, timpani and violin to augment the more traditional service Ishan reveals. “It’s important to remember Christ in Christmas” Ishan states adding that the “joy and promise of the birth of Jesus Christ” is what symbolizes the atmosphere of the service.
( See the Plus next week for more carol services)