Carols for All

A real joy this evening to join the Oxford Bach Choir and friends from the Oxfordshire County Music Service for their Carols for All concert at the Sheldonian Theatre.

This time, I managed to turn up on the right night – a marked improvement on my slightly over-enthusiastic arrival a fortnight ago, two weeks early, which is now firmly part of Sheldonian folklore.

I was joined by Mark, Anne, Shaun, and High Sheriff’s Cadets Sofia and Isabella for an evening of truly sublime music – generous, joyful, and gloriously Christmassy from start to finish.

There were so many highlights.

The Coventry Carol, sung with such poise and restraint.

The Oxford City Young Singers delivering a brilliantly spirited Jingle Bell Rock.

The County Youth Choir’s A Christmas Carol, with words by G. K. Chesterton and music by Debbie Carter Rose – thoughtful, rich, and beautifully judged.

Diana Smith’s wonderfully evocative reading from A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas.

A rousing medley from the County Youth Brass Ensemble.

Glorious descants soaring round the Sheldonian.

All the choirs coming together for John Rutter’s Shepherd’s Pipe Carol.

And a storming, smile-inducing Twelve Days of Christmas to send us out on a high.

I also thoroughly enjoyed performing ’Twas the Night Before Christmas – even if, I admit, it may have been just a touch self-indulgent.

The evening was conducted – and presented with warmth and wit – by Vice-President of the Oxford Bach Choir, Libby Burgess, who held everything together with calm authority and evident joy.

Carols for All remains one of those rare concerts that truly lives up to its name. This year’s programme brought together professional excellence and youthful energy, familiar favourites and beautiful rarities, audience participation and moments of stillness. Something genuinely for everyone – from five to ninety-five and beyond.

If this is how Christmas sounds in Oxfordshire, we are doing something very right indeed.