The Chelsea Pensioners' Carol Service 2024 - Video

The Chelsea Pensioners' Carol Service 2024
Wren Chapel, Royal Hospital Chelsea
Sunday 22nd December, 15:30

Order of Service:

The truth from above – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Once in royal David’s city – H. J. Gauntlett (1805-1976), arr. A. H. Mann (1850-1929) & David Willcocks (1919-2015)
Bidding Prayers
A spotless rose – Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
1st reading - Genesis
O Come, O come, Emmanuel - 15th century French arr. David Willcocks
2nd reading - Isaiah
Sir Christémas – William Mathias (1934-1992)
3rd reading - The Annunciation
Of a rose – Cecilia McDowall (b. 1951)
God rest you merry, gentlemen – English trad., arr. David Willcocks
4th reading – The Birth of Jesus
My Lord has Come – Will Todd (b. 1970)
O little town of Bethlehem – English trad., arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams & Thomas Armstrong (1898-1994)
5th reading – The Shepherds
What sweeter music – John Rutter (b.1945)
6th reading – The Wise Men
The First Nowell – English trad. arr. Willcocks
O magnum mysterium – Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548-1611)
7th reading – St John unfolds the Mystery of the Incarnation
Prayer and blessing
Hark! the herald angels sing – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), arr. Willcocks
The National Anthem - arr. Gordon Jacob
Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54 No. 6 – Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

With thanks to:

The Reverend Steven Brookes, Chaplain of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Sopranos: Kate Ashby, Eloise Irving, Leah Jackson, Kirsty O'Neill
Altos: Rosemary Clifford, Lorna Price
Tenors: Jonathan Beatty, Edward Hughes
Basses: Jack Comerford, Tristan Hambleton, Angus McPhee, Thomas Stoddart
William Vann - Organist and Director of Music
Callum Knox - Organ Scholar
Nally Fernando - Chapel Administrator
Wren Brass:
Trumpets: Richard Thomas, Steve Hicks
Trombones: George Bartle, Amy Wetmore
Tuba: Jeffrey Miller

Live streaming by In-Pensioner Albert Weastall