Premiere of Newly Commissioned Carol for Guildford Cathedral

Guildford Cathedral has commissioned a new Christmas Carol which will have its premiere over the festive period.

The cathedral commissioned acclaimed composer Ben Ponniah who put a call out in summer for anyone interested in commissioning a new carol and Sue Howland a Patron and Volunteer stepped forward.

Sue, Ben and Katherine Dienes-Williams, the Cathedral’s Organist and Master of the Choristers, met and chose an unusual text by Margaret Deland from ‘The Christmas Silence’ – which Ben then set to music

He has named it The Pigeon Carol.

Katherine said:

“The carol is a lovely, serene setting which describes the atmosphere of a still, quiet stable filled with animals and the newborn baby Jesus.”

The Cathedral choir will be learning and singing this new work and is looking forward to welcoming the composer to its world premiere at the cathedral’s carol service on Sunday 22 December at 6pm, with a repeat on Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day) at 4 pm.