2019
Sunday 1st December 6pm
THE ADVENT CAROL SERVICE 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Adrian Boynton
Writers and musicians down the centuries have been
inspired by the season of Advent with its special atmosphere
of anticipation and expectation. Join us to share this
atmosphere in a beautiful candlelit service featuring passages
of scripture, poetry and prose and fine musical settings reflecting a range of styles from the High Renaissance to the present day. The service will conclude at 7.20pm.
Freewill offering.
Monday 9th December 7.15pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES:The English Revival
RUTLAND BOUGHTON & EDMUND RUBBRA
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Tonight we consider the remarkable contribution to English music of two 'local boys'. Aylesbury-born Rutland Boughton effectively founded Glastonbury Festival - as a vehicle for Wagnerian-style choral dramas based on Arthurian legend! Alongside major choral and theatre works, he wrote fine symphonies, concertos and chamber music. Northampton-born Edmund Rubbra's prolific output covers all musical forms except opera. His superb handling of modal harmony in a distinctively English tradition makes him a more than worthy successor to his teacher, Holst. His output includes beautiful religious choral works, outstanding chamber works and songs, and no less than eleven symphonies, whose musical substance and spiritual grandeur have still to be fully appreciated.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Tuesday 17th December 12.30pm
THE CITY CENTRE CAROL SERVICE
THE CHOIR OF THE CITY CHURCH Directed by Boynton
Led by the Ministerial Team
Join us for this lovely lunchtime service of 45 minutes, followed by seasonal refreshments.
Thursday 19th December 7.15pm
EXPLORING MUSIC special
CHRISTMAS MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES (i) Medieval to BaroqueA talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
In this seasonal special we trace the development of the carol from
its origins as a medieval round dance through the homophonic
carols and polyphonic Christmas motets of the Reformation to
the polychoral splendours of the late Renaissance and early Baroque
in works by Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Hassler and Schutz. Mature
Baroque masterpieces form the culmination of our journey, and
we end the evening with the greatest of all - Bach's Christmas Oratorio - as prelude to a performance of the work by the Cornerstone Chamber Choir and Orchestra on 5th January.
Admission £5 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 21st December 11.30am
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER with
THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS & SPECIAL GUESTS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
This is a lovely event for the whole family. The New
English Singers capture the joy and happiness of the Christmas Season with a range of choral settings from around the world reflecting different styles and traditions with guest appearances from fine instrumental soloists, and surprises and delights at every turn, this promises to be a real 'cracker' of a Christmas concert. Following the music we invite you to linger awhile, relax and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
Admission (to include refreshments) £10 (children £1) at the door
Sunday 22nd December 6pm
THE CORNERSTONE CAROL SERVICE 'Joy to the World'
THE CITY CHURCH CHOIR & CORNERSTONE BRASS
Directed by Adrian Boynton Led by the Ministerial Team
A joyful celebration of the Saviours birth in words and music,
with familiar carols for all to sing, magnificent choral offerings
from the choir and lively contributions from Cornerstone Brass.
Do join us and bring your friends. Freewill offering.