Christmas at St. Paul's
Join us for a series of beautiful music and worship as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, the season of hope and the dawning of the new year.
Sunday, Dec 20, Advent IV – Festival of Lessons & Carols
4.35pm "A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten
with the Girls of the St Cecilia Choir and Ms. Laura Vaughan, Harp
5.00pm A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of Christmastide
The Cathedral Choristers of Boys and Men
This service of Lessons and Carols is patterned after the service made famous by King's College, Cambridge, over 90 years ago. Music this year will include works by Bach and other familiar carols, as well as some newly composed carols settings, including a wonderful composition by David Conte which sets the text "The snow lay on the ground" for choir, organ and harp. Of course, the favorite carols for the congregation - Once in royal David's City, O Come all ye Faithful, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - will all be sung in the glorious setting of St Paul's Cathedral by candlelight. This is a great event to invite family and friends! Arrive early for best seating.
Thursday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
5.00pm "Carols for the City"
The St Cecilia Choir of Girls and Men with
The Cathedral Choristers and Boys and Men
"Carols for the City" is a delightful combination of a Christmas Carol service, and a truncated Mass, structured around young children and their families. Approximately 45 minutes in duration, this service contains significant offerings from both choirs, as well as an opportunity for children to come up to the High Altar and participate in the communion portion of the service. The service is a bi-lingual setting (English/Spanish) and features several beautiful Spanish carols.
Thursday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
10.30pm "Midnight" Mass
The cathedral's mixed-voice ensemble will be joined by chamber orchestra for Franz Joseph Haydn's Missa "Sancti Nicolai". The service includes anthems sung by Hassler, Morten Lauridsen and others, as well as favorite carols. Preceded by a congregational Carol Sing at 10pm.
Friday, 25 December, Christmas Day
10.00am Sung Holy Eucharist
The cathedral's mixed-voice ensemble will present a broad range of music, including works by Victoria, Byrd, Praetorius, and Poulenc. Music for trumpet and organ will preceded the service.
Sunday, 27 December
8am and 10:30am Holy Eucharist
5.00pm Choral Evensong - Our tradition of offering Choral Evensong every Sunday continues with this service sung by the gentlemen of the Cathedral Choirs. More music of Christmastide, including the haunting "Coventry Carol" and other Medieval carols, and music set for Men's voices by our own Composer-in-Residence Stephen Sturk.
Thursday, December 31, New Year’s Eve on the Labyrinth
6:00 pm Labyrinth Walk;
7:00 pm Celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Labyrinth.
Thursday, January 1, 2009 - New Years Day
10 am- New Year’s Day Holy Eucharist.
Sunday, 3 January, 2010
5.00pm Choral Evensong and Concert
Cappella Gloriana, our Ensemble-in-Residence, will present choral Evensong and a concert of seasonal music. Conducted by Dr. Stephen Sturk.
