Junior choir puts in the practice for concert

Every weekday throughout the term, choir rehearsals take place from 8 until 8.30am to prepare for performances to family and friends.

Two songs and piano accompaniments were written by specialist music teacher Richard Sutton, with other classics performed such as Ding Dong Merrily On High and Ave Maria.

Prayers were read, including one for those unable to be with family.

‘Year 4 are starting the service with a candlelit procession, where they have painted jars with lights in,’ said Liz Parkes, Year 3 teacher and concert organiser.

‘It is a classical reading and carols service, with six readings altogether which are each a lesson. We have been practising our readings for a few weeks.

‘The choir team practice every morning before school, they are quite dedicated.

‘Each year group takes different responsibilities. There are soloists in small group choirs from year groups and larger choirs too. Mr Sutton has been writing his own carols, so it is a big team effort.’

Year 5 class teacher Jo Ricketts is the choir conductor.

Mr Sutton said: ‘Last year I wrote a new Christmas song, which fell out in 20 minutes and the Year 5s performed. This year I have written another one for them to sing, now they are in Year 6.’

Mr Sutton used to write music for a living.

‘When I played last year’s song to teachers, some of them cried, and as soon as this year came said I have to write another. This one took a bit longer and other teachers helped me to write the words. Mrs Pollard was keenly interested and gave me a set of lyrics to adapt.’

Inspiration came from American songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

‘They are modern musical writers and I was inspired by their style of writing, where they write lines of music like you would say them. It feels like the melody comes from the phrase spoken.

‘So in the song the first verse is from Joseph’s perspective, the second the Shepherds, and the third the Three Kings two years later.’

Rehearsals of the nine choir songs began in mid-November.

‘It’s a massive jump up from the nativity. We try not to sing Christmas songs until 1 December, but this year we started early,’ said Mr Sutton.

‘We wanted to keep the carol service traditional so that people recognise the songs and words, but also wanted to sing more modern things, as is often done in churches now. They are usually very well attended. I can remember carol services where we had to dig chairs out because the church was full.’

Elizabeth College’s senior school Christmas service will take place at Town Church, from where services have been streamed since lockdown.