At St John’s, the choir’s focus and principal role is in leading the musical worship and in singing motets during the distribution of the sacrament at weekly Parish Communion.
The periods of Advent and Christmas, however, provide opportunity to showcase works outside that paradigm, and this year we have two special pieces in store. In Advent Carols on 1st December at 6pm we will perform J.S. Bach’s great motet ‘Komm, Jesu, komm’. This epic work for double choir showcases the profoundly devout Lutheran composer at his most accomplished: his unmatched polyphony delivering an impassioned invocation for Christ to come down, to relieve us from our Earthly suffering.
Then, in Carols by Candlelight, on 22nd December at 6pm, by then the anticipatory solemnity of Advent fast giving way to the joy of Christmas, we will perform Ralph Vaughan-Williams’s ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’. Scored for choir, organ and baritone soloist, and dedicated to the memory of the great folk-culturalist Cecil Sharp, this work weaves together some of England’s most famous and well-loved carols. Its festive joy is irresistible.
Welcome to Kaleb and Saskia who were admitted to the choir in September
We are unusual in having a choir that can perform this music. Comprising a team of gifted and dedicated amateurs, a handful of ex-cathedral lay clerks and choral scholars from top university choirs, and an ever-growing, superb junior choir, the choir of St John’s is exceptional.
For juniors or adults interested in joining the choir, we warmly invite anyone and everyone to come along and join us for a Wednesday evening rehearsal. If you are interested, email music@stjohnsredhill.org.uk.
We are immensely excited to share our hard work with all who worship at St John’s during this most special time of year, and we wish you all a very merry - and musical! - Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Clement Hetherington
Director of Music
Extract from A View From St John's Winter 2024 Parish Magazine
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