CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS IN OUR HISTORIC CHURCHES
1st December 2022, 7-8.30pm, All Hallows by the Tower, London EC3R 5BJ
Narrator: Zeb Soanes of ClassicFM
Presented by the Royal School of Church Music & the Churches Conservation Trust
Following a successful partnership for the virtual event The Big Christmas Carol Service (winter 2020), the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) are once again teaming up to host another unique and exciting collaboration, showcasing the continued importance of church buildings, engaging in the history of congregational singing, and exploring the living tradition of carols.
Christmas Past, Present, and Future: The Sounds of Christmas in our Historic Churches will explore the nature of traditional and modern carols and their symbolism within our churches in a unique narrative combining words, live choral music, and participative song. Classic FM presenter, concert host and author Zeb Soanes will bring to life the tale of these intertwined histories. Tickets for the live event on the 1 December cost £25 per person and include the festive concert, drinks reception, and a mince pie
About the event, Zeb Soanes says:
“I am hugely looking forward to this festive concert on the very first day of December, taking the spirit of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ to discover how the celebration of the Nativity has changed through time.
It is a real pleasure to work with both RSCM and CCT. Having grown up in Suffolk and Norfolk, the counties with the most churches in the UK, I am well aware of the vital work these charities undertake in preserving both the fabric of these historic treasures and filling them with musical and spiritual breath.”
Hugh Morris, Director of RSCM, says
“It is really exciting to be offering a completely fresh take on a Christmas Concert. Beautiful words and beautiful music combine to enable us to look at Christmas past, present and future; and to celebrate how both RSCM and CCT are part of a living heritage, supporting churches, communities, and worship.”
Churches, by design, provide the perfect setting for music of every kind both acoustically and aesthetically. However, if you were to visit a church on Christmas Day 1644, you would have heard, at best, some verses from Psalms, chanted first by the clerk, and then raggedly repeated by the congregation. Since then, it is clear to see a great passion for worshiping through song emerging in a way that is both reflective of the political and social setting of the time. From slight tuneful murmurings during the Reformation to theatrical styles of worship in the Victorian era, to the inspirational carols we know and love today. During this unique, interactive, event, Zeb will explore what we may come to expect from carols in the future by reflecting on their journey over the past 400 years.
In addition to filling the oldest church in the City of London with festive sounds, a digital recording of the event will also be made available, providing those who are unable to join in person or those who simply wish to relive the evening with the opportunity to listen, learn, and enjoy the event online from 14 December at 7pm at the very reasonable price of £5. All sale proceeds will be split evenly between CCT and RSCM to contribute to each charity’s important work.
Tickets & further info https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/what-s-on/the-sounds-of-christmas-in-our-historic-churches.html
About Zeb Soanes
Zeb Soanes presents Smooth Classics at Seven on Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station. For over 20 years he was an authoritative newsreader and reassuring voice of the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. He is the author of the bestselling Gaspard the Fox series of books and presents concerts with the UK’s leading orchestras.
About the RSCM
The RSCM is the Salisbury-based, national, independent charity enabling the flourishing of church music. As the central ‘home’ of church music, RSCM provides relevant education, training and resources to its membership, the wider church, and beyond. It is committed to encouraging the best of music in worship, and to advocating music as a tool for growth of the church.
The RSCM supports thousands of Affiliated churches across the UK and worldwide through its international partners. In addition, it also supports many schools and Individual members, and its work is sustained by thousands of Friends, Regular Givers and other donors.
The RSCM is an open, life-long learning organisation, offering face-to-face and distance education and training through its programmes, published resources, courses and activities.
Founded by Sir Sydney Nicholson in 1927, the RSCM’s original emphases were English and choral. Now, in a diverse international context, the RSCM’s work is far broader and more diverse, and aims to make all its work ecumenical in purpose, nature and content.
HM The Queen was RSCM’S Royal Patron from 1952 until her recent death, and its president is The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The organisation celebrates its centenary in 2027.
About the Churches Conservation Trust
Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national charity saving historic churches at risk.
The CCT has saved over 350 buildings which attract almost 2 million visitors a year. Its unique collection of English churches includes irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology, and art from 1,000 years of history. With the CCT’s help and with the support of its membership, they are kept open and in use – living once again at the heart of their communities.
The CCT operates the third largest heritage estate in charitable ownership in the UK. All of the churches in its collection are listed, mostly Grade I and II*, and some are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
Without the CCT’s care and the support of its membership and the general public, the buildings it looks after might have disappeared completely. Instead, they are enjoyed as cultural, social, tourism, and educational resources, kept open, in use, and living once again in the heart of communities. The CCT’s churches remain consecrated and can be used for occasional worship.
