Christmas Concert 2017

Thursday 7 December 20177.30pmSouthwark Cathedral

www.jags.org.uk

INTRODUCTION

The pilgrimage to our diocesan church of Southwark Cathedral feels more and more spiritual each year – a time to remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle and then to reflect, as the glorious music of Advent and Christmas surrounds us.

While there is a sense of antiquity in most of the Christmas music we hear this evening, it is often delivered with a modern twist. Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Overture draws upon the age-old German fairy story, serving as a luscious prelude to our own Christmas story this evening. Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” harks back to the medieval era from which the poems originate; other than the plainchant at beginning and end, the music is entirely Britten’s own. “A Ceremony of Carols” features our very own Alice Miller (Year 13) as harpist in what is a huge tour de force for the instrument.

In the second half, amidst all the Christmas carols, are three instrumental items of great beauty – Bach’s “Sheep may safely graze” is often heard at Christmas owing to its pastoral connotations; Gabrieli was a pioneer for the brass instruments in 1600, this Sonata probably having been first performed in the glorious setting of St Mark’s, Venice, at an important Mass; and the lesser known Johann Christian Schickhardt’s four-recorder concerto quite simply sounds Christmassy in this beautiful setting.

As ever, over one sixth of the school is performing in tonight’s concert – a remarkable statistic and one that reflects the love, enthusiasm and huge gift that JAGS girls have for music; the lineage from Bel Canto, to Chorale, and then through to Holst Choir and Madrigalists is never more clearly seen than in the Christmas Concert. Also, we are delighted to have JAGS Choral Society involved in tonight’s concert.

We conclude the concert with one of the oldest songs still being sung in Advent – O come, O come, Emmanuel. Please stand up for the last verse and have a good sing! The words are on the back cover of this programme. We would like to thank the Dean and the Cathedral staff for playing host to JAGS again. We are most grateful to the School staff acting as stewards today as well as to the school-keepers for transporting our equipment today. It really is a community effort and everyone’s contribution counts.

Director of Music

Charles Dickens famously begins his novel A Tale of Two Cities with the words ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...’ This year has taken us into all the places that Dickens goes on to describe and more, and here at Southwark Cathedral we have shared in the emotions and the pain that exposure to the worst aspects of what we can do to each other produces. The terror attack on London Bridge and the Borough Market in June was one aspect of this year that saw other attacks in London and Manchester, horrific fire at Grenfell Tower, natural disasters around the world and man-made agony in so many places.

It is not the only story that we can tell however. In each of those episodes we have seen the best of human nature, the best of communities working together, the best of faith communities witnessing to a better way, the best of who we are called to be in London and beyond.

The Christian experience of God draws us into the Christmas story. It is presented so often as something of innocent beauty, angels and shepherds, mangers and wise men. The reality is much grittier than that. A girl, unmarried and pregnant, away from home and with no where to stay. The pain of a birth in a borrowed room. The flight from a capricious and dangerous political leader. Life as a refugee family in a foreign land always seeking a return home. Like a beautiful thread however, love runs through it all: the love of Joseph for Mary, the love of the parents for the child, the love of strangers at the crib, the love of God manifested for all to hold and see.

Christina Rossetti wrote a poem which is sometimes sung around this season. It’s called Love came down at Christmas and it finishes like this:

Love shall be our token,Love shall be yours and love be mine,Love to God and to all men,Love for plea and gift and sign.

It is that divine love and that love made known in the world which will defeat all hatred and all terror. That is what Christ-mas is about and in her arms, Mary holds out to us the sign of God’s love – Jesus.

Andrew NunnDean of Southwark

A MessAGe froM The DeAn

Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off. You are also advised to locate the whereabouts of the nearest fire exit.

ProgrammeOverture – Hansel and Gretel Engelbert Humperdinck Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Peter Gritton

A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin BrittenHolst Choir, Madrigalists and Choral SocietyAlice Miller (harp), conducted by Peter Gritton and Patricia Williams

~ Interval ~Refreshments in the Christmas Marquee

Sheep may safely graze J.S. Bach arr. GrittonRecorder solos – Jessica Lyness, Clara TuffreyViolin solos – Daniella Wu, Imogen SquireString Orchestra conducted by Peter Gritton

Sonata pian’ e forte Giovanni GabrieliWonderbrass, directed by Mark Armstrong

Bethlehem Down Peter WarlockChristmas Lullaby Clifford Curwen arr. GrittonBel Canto, conducted by Kay Dickson accompanied by String Orchestra

Concerto No.1 à 4 in C, first movement (Allegro) J.C. Schickhardt’Tis the Swingin’ Season Traditional arr. Stan DavisRecorder Consort, directed by Rebecca Austen-Brown Harpsichord – Peter Gritton, Cello continuo – Rhiannon Dew

Breath of Heaven Amy Grant/Chris Eaton, arr. LeeWhere riches is everlasting Bob ChilcottChorale, conducted by Jonathan LeeAnnabelle Knutson (flute) and Nell Donnell (percussion)accompanied by Kay Dickson (piano) and percussionists from Chorale Finale:O come, O come, Emmanuel 15th century French, arr. Lee [Please stand for Verse 5 and join in; words on the back cover of programme]

1. Procession

Hodie Christus natus est, Hodie Salvator apparuit, Hodie in terra canunt angeli, Laetantur archangeli, Hodie exsultant justi dicentes, Gloria in excelsis deo. Alleluia!

2. Wolcum Yole! (14th cent. Anon)

Wolcum be thou hevenè king, Wolcum born in one morning, Wolcum for whom we shall sing! Wolcum be ye, Stevene and Jon, Wolcum, Innocentes every one, Wolcum, Thomas marter one, Wolcum be ye good newe yere, Wolcum, twelfthe day both in fere, Wolcum, seintes lefe and dere, Candelmesse, Quene of Bliss, Wolcum bothe to more and lesse. Wolcum be ye that are here, Wolcum alle and make good cheer! Wolcum alle another yere, Wolcum yole, Wolcum!

TEXT OF “A CEREMONY OF CAROLS”

3. There is no rose (14th cent. Anon)

There is no rose of such vertu, As is the rose that bare Jesu. Alleluia!For in this rose conteinèd was Heaven and earth in litel space, Res miranda! By that rose we may well see, There be one God in persons three, Pares forma!The aungels sungen the shepherds to: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gaudeamus! Leave we all this werldly mirth, and follow we this joyful birth. Transeamus!

4a That Yonge child (14th cent. Anon) Alto solo – Jessica Lyness

That yongë child when it began weep With song she lulled him asleep: That was so sweet a melody It passèd alle minstrelsy. The nightingalë sang also: Her song is hoarse and nought thereto: Whoso attendeth to her song And leaveth the first then doth he wrong. 4b Balulalow (Wedderburn Brothers, 1548) Soprano solo – Holly Mortimer

O my deare hert, young Jesu sweit, Prepare thy creddil in my spreit,And I sall rock thee to my hert, And never mair from thee depart.But I sall praise thee evermoir With sanges sweit unto thy gloir; The knees of my hert sall I bow, And sing that richt Balulalow!

5. As dew in April (14th cent. Anon)

I sing of a maiden That is makèles: King of all kings To her son he ches. He came also stille There his moder was, As dew in Aprille That falleth on the grass. He came also stille To his moder’s bour, As dew in Aprille, That falleth on the flour. He came also stille There his moder lay, As dew in Aprille That falleth on the spray. Moder and maydenWas never none but she: Well may such a lady Goddes moder be.

6. This little Babe (Robert Southwell, 16th cent.)

This little Babe so few days old, Is come to rifle Satan’s fold; All hell doth at his presence quake, Though he himself for cold do shake; For in his weak unarmèd wise The gates of hell he will surprise. With tears he fights and wins the field, His naked breast stands for a shield; His battering shot are babish cries, His arrows looks of weeping eyes, His martial ensigns Cold and Need, and feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed. His camp is pitchèd in a stall, His bulwark but a broken wall;The crib his trench, haystalks his stakes; Of shepherds he his muster makes; And thus, as sure his foe to wound, The angels’ trumps alarum sound. My soul, with Christ join thou in fight; Sticks to the tents that he hath pight. Within his crib is surest ward; This little Babe will be thy guard. If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, then flit not from this heavenly Boy!

7. Interlude (harp solo)

8. In Freezing Winter Night (Robert Southwell, 16th cent.)Soloists – Stella Stylianides Da Silva, Maeve Fitzpatrick

Behold, a silly tender babe, in freezing winter night, In homely manger trembling lies Alas, a piteous sight! The inns are full; no man will yield This little pilgrim bed. But forced he is with silly beasts In crib to shroud his head. This stable is a Prince’s court, This crib his chair of State; The beasts are parcel of his pomp, The wooden dish his plate. The persons in that poor attire His royal liveries wear; The Prince himself is come from heav’n; This pomp is prizèd there. With joy approach, O Christian wight, Do homage to thy King, And highly praise his humble pomp, Wich he from Heav’n doth bring.

9. Spring Carol (William Cornish, early 16th cent.) Pleasure it is to hear iwis, The Birdès sing, The deer in the dale, The sheep in the vale, The corn springing God’s purvayance For sustenance. It is for man. Then we always to him give praise,And thank him than. 10. Deo Gracias (15th cent. anon) Adam lay ibounden, bounden in a bond; Four thousand winter thought he not to long. And all was for an appil, an appil that he took, As clerkès finden written in their book. Ne had the appil takè ben, the appil takè ben,Ne haddè never our lady a ben hevenè quene.Blessèd be the time that appil takè was. Therefore we moun singen: Deo Gracias!

11. Recession

Hodie Christus natus est, Hodie Salvator apparuit, Hodie in terra canunt angeli, Laetantur archangeli, Hodie exsultant justi dicentes, Gloria in excelsis deo. Alleluia!

PerformersChamber OrchestraFlutesLiliana SierraGrace MuldowneyKathryn Richards (+ piccolo)

Oboes Dora Gawn-HopkinsEilah Kolvin

Clarinets Laura WoodCharlotte Clare-Hunt

Bassoons Jessica LynessIsabella Guilar

Horns Catherine WalterAmelia MarshallDavid McQueen (VMT)

Trumpets Mathilda SimpsonEmily Clare-Hunt

Trombone Jessica Odetola

Tuba Susannah Trowell

Percussion Nell Donnell

First Violins Daniella WuBetania JohnnyImogen SquireClara TuffreyCatherine KammFelicity LeungGabrielle LiStella Stylianides Da Silva

Second ViolinsClodia KhullarRobyn LoNishika SoodSophia HasselAnusha Jalan Zara UddinElla CoatesAmarachi OhanusiMarina Stamouli SimoncioniViola Farbach

Violas Sophia MacGregorJeanette Szeto Niamh HeneghanKaitlin StangroomeLucy Lewis WardMadeleine WoolleyEmma-Rose FawzyKay Dickson (Head of Strings)

Cellos Rhiannon DewJuliet ElsonKathryn BowersSydney LoKapri BelentepeSaskia SierraPolina EkaetteTamara GavrilenkoOla Kiezun

Double Basses Sophie MascarenhasGeorgina BurrElena Marigómez (pro)

Recorder ConsortKathryn Bowers Jessica LynessLydia TaylorClara Tuffrey

WonderbrassTrumpet Mathilda Simpson Emily Clare-Hunt

French HornCatherine WalterAmelia MarshallIsabel Watts

Trombone Jessica OdetolaAlice King

TubaSusannah Trowell

Holst Choir (* = Madrigalists)Shifa AliCharmaine Ayoku*Kathryn BowersJaya BreenIsabel Breslin*Sophie BucknorOlivia BurmanAdelana ChestermanSophie Firth*Maeve Fitzpatrick*Olivia GreenwellGrace Greenwood*Kika Hendry*Niamh HeneghanRuby Jensen-JonesNina Kelly FiliaZara Kermally*Clodia Khullar

Cordelia Knight-Webb Annabelle KnutsonLydia Koleosho Zoe Lockwood*Jessica LynessErin MayhewElla McCoyRuby Morrison*Holly MortimerCharlotte Needham-BennettAmarachi OhanusiElla PurdonMedina RahmanElizabeth Rix*Katherine RixLily RoseMartha Shaw*Liliana Sierra

Simran SinghTheadora Stedman Jones*Chloe Stiens*Stella Stylianides Da SilvaLydia Taylor*Poppy ThwaitesEmma Todd-HintonIona TompkinsSofiyah ToosyZara UddinLily Walker TitleyLilyRose WallaceBeth WarnerKitty WellsMegan WhiteLaura Wood*Ella Wood

ChoraleGaby AlbertelliInaara AndersonGeorgia AshleyBeulah BediakoNina BhaskarMabel CarterAlice CalderbankAmy CollinsEmma CollinsKatie CottrellOlivia Ellender

Lucy Fradin Abigail GreenCaty HattonMia HendryAndrea HernandezKerry HeywoodCarys Hill Alice KingRebecca KirbyAmaya Lewis-PatelAlice Macey-Dare

Angelina Murthy Isabelle Onyeka Eleanor PoliRachael ProctorHannah PurnellPolly RobertsEllen RoxbyDaisy SimpsonAstha SinhaEllie StiffLydia TowAnya Wakely

Azrah AjmalTrisha AroraIris BerwickEmilia BiddellStella BussAmy Collins

Iris FerrarIsla KeithKaat KonijnenbergUma KukrejaMadeline LiMimi LeeRachel Murphy

Chanelle Ohemeng-MensahElizabeth OmondiThalia RichRosie RussellPhoebe ThreadgouldSofia Wilson-Bousatta

Bel Canto

JAGS Choral SocietySopranosHelen BarefootCornelia BrandauerSarah DennisAnn DuntonVictoria EdwardsMaureen ErnyYasmin FitzpatrickDiane GassonKathy GibsonAmanda GreatorexHilary GreengrassJane GregoryMary HarmanDorothée IrvingAlex MauleMary MoraleeClaire NichollsPat Price-TomesCindy RutherfordElaine ShackletonAnne SmithCatherine SmithSarah VinczeSue Whittaker

AltosMari BarnesKathleen BeckerElizabeth BegleyAnne-Corinne BellLisa BorowieckaLouise CramerMargaret DavisKate GarmesonHelen GrayEdda HendryAnna HenryEmma HetheringtonCharmian Hornsby Caroline KennyLisa Kerr MuirSarah KnightBarbara KolatorNadia LassersonSusie LindsaySarah LinklaterClaire MyattJo PerkHilary ProctorIrene RiddellFrances ShawSusanne SivagnanamLaura SparkesMargaret VaizeySladjana Vuckovic-GrantFlorence WatererHeather Webb

TenorsVivian BazalgetteAlex BlaydenAndy BradshawMichael BrookeKeith FitchettMark IrvingKen MartinKatharine St. John BrooksMaria Szekely Dave Williams

BassesStephen AllenJohn BaldwinAlec BartonCharles BiscoeJohn BrittonRoger CorderyTim DowleyJulian GrayDuncan PrattPhilip SmithAndrew ThomasPeter Venn Graham Warren

Photography and FilmingPhotographs and short films taken by parents should be kept to a minimum to avoid distracting the girls who are performing and members of the audience. All images should be for personal use only. In respect of our Safeguarding policy, under no circumstances should any images be uploaded onto social or online media of any kind. Thank you for your co-operation.

The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overy, Southwark

In 606 a Convent was established on the south bank of the River Thames at the place from which the ferry used to cross over to the City of London. In 1106 an Augustinian Priory was established. Following the Reformation, the Priory Church became a Parish Church. A parish school – now Cathedral School – was opened in 1704 following on the work already established in schools founded from the parish under a charter from Queen Elizabeth I. Today in old and new buildings, this Cathedral continues to serve the people of its parish and the people of the diocese, to be a centre of teaching, of worship, prayer and pilgrimage; a place of inclusive welcome for all people. We therefore welcome you to this holy place which is both ancient and modern. Together we continue to serve the people of this area - those who are passing through, crossing the river, making a new home, coming to work or simply here to enjoy themselves - and the people who live here, in much the same way as our forebears did and with all those who have gone before us we do it all from a place of praise and worship of Almighty God.

For further information:Daily Services/Enquiries Cathedral Office 020 7367 6700Conferences and Seminars Conference Co-ordinator 020 7367 6722Special Services and Events Development Director 020 7367 6704Cathedral Tours Visitors’ Officer 020 7367 6734Shop Shop Manager 020 7367 6710Refectory Refectory Manager 020 7407 5740

For up-to-date information and times and dates of services please visit our website at www.southwarkcathedral.org.uk

O come, O come, Emmanuel

Verses 1 to 4 sung by the choirs:

1. O come, O come Emmanuel…

2. O come, thou Rod of Jesse…

3. O come, thou dayspring…

4. O come, thou Lord of Might…

VERSE 5

O come, Thou Key of David, comeAnd open wide our heavenly home

Make safe the way that leads on highAnd close the path to miseryRejoice, rejoice, EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel

And repeat:

Rejoice, rejoice, EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel