Wells Cathedral Choristers Look to Christmas!

At a time when parts of the UK have just recorded a short heatwave, it’s refreshing to think ahead to the festive season. The Wells Cathedral Choristers are already preparing for Christmas, bringing a sense of seasonal joy to the present.

The Choristers’ annual performance of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols around Candlemas has become a beloved tradition in the Cathedral’s calendar. This event supports the work of the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust, reflecting the dedication and hard work of the choristers.

After a busy weekend of services in the middle of June, the choristers immediately began recording this special piece with harpist Olivia Jageurs, under the direction of Alexander Hamilton.

One of the joys of a cathedral choir is that it is ever evolving, as probationers begin their journey and senior choristers move on, often after many years of dedicated service

Alexander Hamilton, Acting Director of Music

Alexander Hamilton shared his thoughts on the project, saying, “At this point in the summer term, with just a few weeks to go before the end of the Cathedral Choir year, this always feels like the point when the choristers are at the top of their game. I wanted to plan a recording project to capture this transient moment, before the Choir disperses for the summer and a new chapter begins in September.”

Over three evenings, the choristers worked diligently to record Britten’s magical A Ceremony of Carols. While trying to capture the essence of a live performance using both audio and video is a demanding process, each chorister rose to the challenge. Hamilton expressed his pleasure in collaborating with harpist Olivia Jageurs, producer Barry Rose, and sound engineer David Hinitt, noting that the final product will be something very special.

Look out for the finished film premiering later in 2024! The choristers’ next concert performance of A Ceremony of Carols will be on Saturday, February 1, 2025.