As is traditional in Advent, St Bride’s Choir will be singing Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols on Sunday 14th December at 5:30pm.

ADMISSION
The service is open to all, ticketless and free to attend. Doors open at 5pm and the service lasts approximately 1 hour.

Many of our Advent events are very busy; please register to reserve a spot for early admission to the church (30 minutes before the event) to avoid disappointment.

We will hold back 125 places for later admission (15 minutes before the service starts) via the West Door for those who arrive on the day without registration.

If you need assistance with this, please contact the office on 020 7427 0133 or email [email protected].

MUSIC
Seven of the eleven movements of A Ceremony of Carols were written in 1942 as a homesick Britten endured a perilous boat journey across the Atlantic from America. It sets medieval texts by poet Gerald Bullett and embodies the spirit of hope and joy in our anticipation of Christmas.

The work opens and closes with the chant Hodie Christus natus est (Today Christ is born) sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. We are delighted that harpist Sue Rothstein will once again be joining us.

This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men’s voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements – plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before A Ceremony of Carols begins.

Those who have attended this service in the past have found it to be a profoundly devotional experience and a time of calm amidst the bustle of the Christmas period.

SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S
St Bride's is wholly reliant on and deeply grateful for the generous support of our visitors and congregation without which this service could not happen.

There will be a retiring collection at the end of the service to support the work, ministry and music-making of St Bride's and help maintain our magnificent Wren church.

Donations can be made by cash or contactless at church or via JustGiving. A donation can also be made in advance via EventBrite if you choose to register for early admission to the service.

Do please Gift Aid your donation if you are eligible which generates an extra 25p in every £1 donated.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you register for early admission please arrive 30 minutes before the service. Your place may need to be released to others queuing if you arrive later than this.