Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Choirs set for hectic Christmas
For most children, it is time to forget about school and get wrapped up in the excitement of Christmas.
But for the young male choristers of Canterbury Cathedral, this is the busiest time of the year – staying in a boarding house until Christmas Day and cramming in 17 performances in the nine days beforehand.
Aged from just nine to 12, the boys do not finish term with their St Edmund’s School classmates on Friday, but instead stay in the Cathedral precinct to ensure they complete their singing marathon, which involves around 80 performances of individual pieces.
Master of the choristers and Cathedral organist Dr David Flood says it is a very busy time for the choir but the boys love it.
“They manage to enjoy three Christmas dinners during the nine days, not including the one they will have at home once they have finished on Christmas Day,” he said.
“And they do not miss out on opening their stockings and presents together on Christmas morning.”
Among the 17 concerts they will be performing are the carol services on December 23 and Christmas Eve.
The services include singing from the girls’ choir, which formed in 2014 – ending the 1,000year tradition that allowed only men and boys to be choristers at the Cathedral.
New music is being learned, including Heaven responds at Bethlehem, written by the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Dr Robert Willis, which will be performed by the girls for the first time on December 23 and 24.
On December 23 doors open at 6.15pm and the carol service starts at 7.30pm.
On Christmas Eve, doors open at 1.45pm and the service starts at 3pm.
Details of all the services can be found at www.canterburycathedral.org.