The first Friday of December saw an audience of 200 Somervillians and their guests gather at the beautiful Temple Church in the heart of London for a Christmas Carol Concert featuring the sublime voices of the Somerville Choir, conducted by William Dawes, Director of Chapel Music. The organist was Alfred Kelsey (2023, Music), Organ Scholar.
We were welcomed by the Reverend Mark Hatcher (Exeter College, 1974, Law), Reader of Temple Church. As well as the joy of hearing the Choir singing carols old and new, the audience joined in traditional favourites Once in Royal David’s City, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Readings were poems and texts from Sir John Betjeman, Maya Angelou, Anna George Meek, and Arnold Bennett. Professor Almut Suerbaum, Fellow and Tutor in Modern Languages, made the closing remarks before wine and nibbles were served in the Round of the Church