Christmas Voices

CHOIR MASTER OF CHRIST CHURCH Choir master of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Stephen Darlington still gets nervous before each carol service, even though he’s been doing the job for over 20 years.

But then running one of the most prestigious choirs in the world is no mean feat. And with a packed season coming up, he’s got his work cut out for him.

“Yes, it’s premiere league,” he smiles.

The choir, below, of 28 – 16 boys (aged eight to 13) and 12 men – stay put until Christmas Day, even though the rest of the Cathedral School pack up and head off home at the end of term. A big commitment then?

“Yes, but we make it fun for them. And they all love music and performing so they enjoy it,” Stephen says.

“Because we all love Christmas and the familiarity of carols and Christmas music. But we are also always learning new music, so the magic is always there and we never get bored.”

So what’s on the menu this year? “We are learning a very complicated and exciting version of The 12 Days of Christmas at the moment, as well because Christmas carols are like a comfortable armchair by the fire.

“But if the magic ever stopped so would I. Because there is always a new project to tackle, whether it’s a new commission or a medieval piece to learn. And watching the reactions of the congregation in such a beautiful cathedral is quite ethereal.

“Being in Oxford also plays a significant part in the choirs success because while it’s such an inspiring city culturally, it also has a cut and thrust to it and a vibrancy.”

* For some, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Christmas at Christ Church. But book, because these events are popular.

The Music at Oxford Carol Concert runs on Saturday and Tuesday at 7.30pm with Jean Marsh and Robert Hardy. Call the box office on 01865 244806 or see musicatoxford.com The Nine Lessons and Carols can be heard at Christ Church on December 23 at 7.30pm and 24 at 3.00pm. Tickets are free and allocated on a first come, first served basis.

CHOIR MASTER OF VOICE BOX Lesley Morris has to start thinking about Christmas at the end of the summer, because she runs Witney’s fabulous choir Voice Box, and preparations for the festive period take months of planning.

Well into their extensive round of carol services and concerts, the 40-strong choir is in such demand, that not only does Lesley have to turn down bookings, but there’s a long waiting list just to join.

“Yes, it’s our busiest time of year because there are so many concerts to perform at.

“But it’s also a lovely time of year and we really enjoy doing them all. And while some people book us years in advance, others give us two weeks notice so we often have to turn them down,” she says sadly.

Voice Box is an amateur choir begun by Lesley, a professional singer, ten years ago. “People kept coming up to me asking me to get a choir going. So eventually I did,” Lesley explains. “We had 20 to start with and numbers doubled pretty soon. We are up to capacity at the moment and have a daunting waiting list, but people only leave when they move or have babies,” she smiles.

So what’s the attraction?

“I really believe that everybody should be singing,” she says. “Singing is like going to the gym, the more you go the easier it becomes and the better you get. One’s ears and voice start to co-ordinate. So we have no selection process. Because the joy of singing is the joy. And performing live ups the ante a bit, gets the adrenaline going and puts a sparkle in the eye”

Run with professional pianist Keith Harris, the Voice Box choir ranges in age from students to pensioners. “We sing traditional carols, Christmassy songs and some new pieces as well as some contemporary pieces from around the world. But the choir is very dedicated. So while it can be exhausting for me, its also elevating because it’s fun. And I just love singing because it brings people together and that's what Christmas is all about.”

* Voice Box is performing all over the county during the Christmas period. Times to be confirmed. To check, go to voiceboxchoir.co.uk for more information.

OTHER VITAL CAROL DATES; December 17 Helen & Douglas House Carol Service.

Join the charity for carols and mince pies at Wesley Memorial Church in central Oxford at 4pm. This will be a festive service filled with plenty of carols and Christmas readings to get you in the mood for the Christmas season, as well as wonderful performances by Musical Youth Oxford. Call Helen on 01865 799150 or email cordiner@helenanddouglas.org.uk December 17 Oxford Bach Choir’s ever-popular Christmas carol concert returns on Saturday at 7.30pm at the Sheldonian Theatre after a ‘gap year’, having been cancelled last Christmas owing to heavy snowfall. This traditional festive celebration will be led by Associate Conductor Timothy Byram-Wigfield, and will feature singers from Oxfordshire County Music Service’s Young Choir and Brass Ensemble. Call 01865 305305 for tickets December 18 St Michael’s own professional choir offers a spectacular traditional celebration of Christmas in the customary service of Nine Lessons and Carols, followed by a reception on Sunday at St Michael at the North Gate Church. Call 01865 240940 for times.

December 18 Lord Mayor’s Carols, Oxford’s annual charity Christmas carol event, is on Sunday at Oxford Town Hall. A chance to sing your heart out, accompanied by the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra, choirs from Oxford’s twin towns and local schoolchildren at 1.30pm. Call 01865 252351 for details.

December 24 Midnight Mass at New College. The traditional Eucharist of Christmas Eve, sung by a voluntary choir, with carols and blessing of the crib. New College has one of the most beautiful chapels in Oxford and one of the finest choir schools. The atmospheric Midnight Mass is one of the few chances the public gets to hear Christmas carols in the college. It takes place at 11.30pm at New College in Holywell Street, Oxford.