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Tuesday, 15 December 2009
The girls' traditional carol service opened with the Chamber
Choir processing into the Great Hall by candlelight with an
evocative rendition of the plainsong
procession "Hodie". The Senior Choir then offered an
equally enchanting version of Benjamin Britten's "Balulalow".
The Girls' Division Great Hall was full to capacity with a large
congregation of parents, governors,
former pupils, staff and former
staff. They were soon offering their vocal contributions
with rousing interpretations of a number of well loved
congregational carols, which included "O Little Town of Bethlehem",
"Once in Royal David's City" and "Hark! The Herald Angels
Sing".
There were a variety of beautiful readings, including
Coleridge's "A Christmas Carol" and Elliott's "Journey of the
Magi"; the Headmistress, Mrs Richards, selected three Christmas
poems and was assisted with the reading of prayers to the local
community by pupils.
The beauty and versatility of the choirs provided many uplifting
and moving moments - these included the Middle School Choir's
soaring and lively Christmas medley entitled "Sing a Song of
Christmas Cheer", the Junior Chamber Choir's rhythmic
"Angels' Gloria", the Senior Choir's lively and flawless "This
Little Babe" and the Chamber Choir's reflective "Stille
Nacht". The combined choirs sang John Gardiner's setting
of "The Holly and the Ivy" and the exquisite "The Three Kings" by
Peter Cornelius; the singing of these two delightful pieces have
become a Bolton School Girls' Division tradition.
The Ceremony of Carols was brought to a moving and atmospheric
conclusion by the Chamber Choir's singing of Harold Darke's
setting of "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" and the recession, by
candlelight, of the girls of the Chamber Choir singing "Hodie".
All monies raised on the evening will be presented to Bolton
Hospice. Afterwards members of the congregation were invited
to the Dining Room for seasonal refreshments.
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