Fantastic to sing in Canterbury Cathedral last night for the annual University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral. Before an assembled congregation of over a thousand, we began the service with the vivacious Verbum Patris Umanatur, before second-year soprano Fleur Sumption launched the opening verse of Once in Royal David's City into the vaulted ceiling of the Cathedral Nave. Later in the service, assistant conductor Matt Cooke led the Choir in In Dulci Jubilo, and our final solo carol was Star of the East, a beautiful carol by Russell Hepplewhite. Always a wonderful occasion; we're looking forward to being back here in March, when we sing in the Eastern Crypt in a concert including Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and a collection of contemporary works, plus some choral favourites. Merry Christmas: we're back in January!
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Did you catch us on Radio 4 this morning ?!
The BBC radio station's flagship Today programme was broadcast from the Gulbenkian on campus this morning, and we were very excited to be invited to bring the programme to a close with a short performance. Shortly before 9am, we filled the airwaves (and the Gulbenkian itself, to a live audience) to a verse of Russell Hepplewhite's lovely carol, Star of the East. We've not assembled quite so early in the morning before - we were in the neighbouring Colyer-Fergusson Hall at 8am prompt to warm-up, before assembling outside the theatre at 8.30am to wait to be called. Nerve-wracking ? A little! But a treat to perform live on BBC radio! If you missed it, watch the performance on the Radio 4 website here. The pictures below take you through our morning, from the early warm-up to waiting behind the scenes to go on-stage, singing live and then a photo with presenter Justin Webb. |
Daniel hardingPianist, conductor, Deputy Director of Music, University of Kent Archives
March 2019
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