It really is that most wonderful time of the year! Music is everywhere and carol concerts are in full swing. You could, of course, quite happily go to any one of them and have a good evening. But if you weren’t at St Clement Danes Church last Thursday for Vivamus at Christmas: A Ceremony of Carols, you missed out on a real treat.

I joined Vivamus as an alto this autumn. Initially drawn in by the range of repertoire the choir tackles, I kept returning to a photograph on the website of the choir in rehearsal: a tight semicircle around a grand piano, an enthusiastic conductor standing at the keyboard, and all set against the beautiful backdrop of St Clement Danes Church. It’s a fabulous space to sing in. And how atmospheric it felt on concert night, with a large and beautifully decorated tree adding that extra touch of Christmas magic.

The crowd was large, and it took some time for everyone to take their seats. But finally the church doors were closed, and the lights were dimmed. As the last of the latecomers squeezed themselves into the packed pews, the concert began. In time-honoured fashion, we sang ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ as a processing choir.

That began lovely thread of tradition running throughout the concert – yet, some of the moments I enjoyed the most came when the music strayed a little further off the beaten track. Definite high points were singing Hermione Roff’s competition winning carol ‘The Virgin’s Song’ and Will Todd’s exquisite piece ‘My Lord Has Come’. The opportunity to share these less well-known works with an audience was such a pleasure, and the fact that our performance of the Todd in particular moved some in the audience almost to tears is for me the sign of a job well done.

Of course, there was our headline piece: Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Ceremony of Carols’. Like many others in the choir I’d sung some of the more well-known movements before, but it was a work I’d always wanted to sing in its full glory. And from the processional plainchant opening to its mirror image closing, through all the amazing and contrasting movements in between, it didn’t disappoint. Both the solo from Karen O’Connor and the duet from Monica Nash and Rachael Nolan were beautifully sung. Then there was the harp – well, what to say about the harp?! Listening to Daniel de-Fry play the harp solo ‘Interlude’ was such a moving experience. I sat motionless for the whole time, finding myself completely transfixed.

But the programme wasn’t all quiet contemplation. The Britten was followed by a fabulous Chilcott arrangement of ‘Good King Wenceslas’, which saw our brilliant musical director Rufus Frowde in full flow, conducting both choir and congregation. The Vivamus basses really gave it their all as the eponymous monarch! One of my guests commented that it was the most fun he’s had singing this carol in the congregation, so I think it’s safe to say that it was a winner!

It would be wrong to talk about fun without mentioning organist Richard Hills and his extraordinary Christmas improvisation.  Such an incredible mix of styles: classic church organ, theatre organ, big band style, traditional carols, Christmas standards, some sounds I don’t think I’ve ever heard an organ make before (!) – and all expertly stirred into one great big pot. The best part? Who knows?! My head was completely spinning by the end… Was it ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ incorporating the Nokia ringtone, the ‘Air on a G String’/‘Away in a Manager‘ mash up, or one of no doubt several other musical jokes I completely missed? I think it’ll be a debate for the ages!

And so, dizzy from Richard’s brilliance, we came almost to the concert close. We’d performed a tricky close harmony arrangement of ‘Silent Night’, and a joyous setting of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ (one which carries a ridiculously high risk factor for ‘dinging’ or ‘donging’ in the wrong place!). But now it was the final chance for our audience to get involved, by singing ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ as the programme arced back round to traditional carolling. Nigel Short’s arrangement of ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’ provided our encore, and its jazzy feel featuring a selection of our talented tenor and bass soloists left an appreciative audience with smiles on their faces as they went out into the night. Hopefully all a little richer for the experience – I know I am.

Very happy holidays to you all!

Post written by Jane Willoughby.

Find out more about Vivamus’ concerts.