Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols – Lichfield Cathedral

The first recording of the new cathedral choir at Lichfield has just been released.

Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols is now available on all major streaming platforms and will see its official launch in the cathedral next week during Christmas by Candlelight on December 21.

It features professional harpist, Katie Salomon with solos by Josie Sim, BBC Young Chorister girl of the Year 2020, and choral scholars Sophie Oakley and Poppy Da Costa.

This is the first recording of the new cathedral choir since it opened its doors offering equal opportunities to boys and girls from ages 7-18, with three distinct sections – girl choristers, boy choristers, and choral scholars (soprano, alto, tenor and bass).

Ben Lamb, Lichfield’s Director of Music, said

“This has long been one of my favourite Christmas pieces and I felt it was the perfect time to showcase our re-formed top line, not least because many of these singers’ time in the choir was hugely affected by the pandemic.

“It was apparent from the first glimpse that this was music that they adored. I couldn’t be more pleased with their performance and I’m sure everyone who listens to it will be too.”

The Interim Dean of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jan McFarlane, said:

“I could not be more proud of our ‘new’ Cathedral choir, with the voices of our senior choristers and soprano choral scholars combining in ‘one equal music’.

“The hauntingly beautiful singing calls to mind the mystery of Christ’s birth, and the deep ache of the world’s rejection of him. As the voices draw near and then fade, we glimpse the glory of the one born to be Light in what is so often a bleak and despairing world.

“This superb recording of a true Christmas classic will be my companion through the dark days of Advent through the splendour of Christmas and on towards Epiphany and Candlemas.”

Stream the new recording here.