The Winchester College Chapel Choir were joined by the renowned English Chamber Orchestra starting off with JS Bach’s Cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme. Soloists Sam Cobb (soprano), Oscar Golden-Lee (tenor) and Charlie Baigent (baritone) added to Bach’s rich sound and the wonderful acoustics of St Cross seemed made for Bach’s choral delight. The Chamber Orchestra then dazzled us with Corelli’s Christmas concerto.

The second half started with the Quiristers processing up the nave of St Cross singing Hodie plainsong transporting us briefly to ancient times. This was the beginning of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, parts of which are often performed but to listen to the complete work was a real treat. Delightful and delicate solos were performed by Henry B, Thomas R, Sam H, James H, Sebastian B and James P. To those of us who are lucky enough to hear the Quiristers regularly, it is clear they are all developing lovely voices through their hard work. No less than the whole Chapel Choir who produce a beautifully rounded sound.

We were then treated to The Angel Gabriel, a Basque traditional arranged by Olivia Sparkhall, the full choir again filling St Cross with gorgeous Advent lyrics. As a finale, a Christmas highlight was Harold Darke’s In the Bleak Midwinter, Sasha Del Mar (tenor) sang the solo. Christmas, so delicately introduced at the start of the programme was fully upon us by the end, concluding a subtle and stylish programme put together by Howard Ionascu who also conducted throughout.

Special thanks go to Philip Guest who organised ticketing, front of house and the programme.

It has been a busy couple of weeks for the Quiristers, but they have all risen to the occasions and performed with true professionalism. Happy Christmas boys!
Drusilla Brodrick