The Belvedere Christmas Carol Service this year, appeared to be in jeopardy with the snow causing the school to close in the days before the Carol Service. However, despite the snow and missed rehearsal time, the Choir rose to the occasion as usual on Sunday 5th December giving an uplifting and prayerful performance to an absolutely packed Chapel. The atmosphere was magical, the Christmas market adding to the warm Christmas feeling, with snow everywhere and wonderful smells of hot sausages, waffles, crepes and mulled wine wafting in the frosty air.

The chapel was filled with candles in every window and the candles projections provided by Marguerite Redmond created not only a beautiful image but more candlelight. The Choir processed in to the Chapel in darkness, all carrying a single lighted candle, singing the 13th century chant “Puer Natus In Bethlehem”before launching the Carol Service with the choirs performance of the Vivaldi Gloria accompanied by instrumentalists lead by Louise Curtin on violin and Dan Dunne on trumpet with David Grealy on Organ. The opening prayer was lead by Fr. Michael Sheil, who braved dreadful road conditions to be with us on the night.

The evening was filled with a wide variety of music conducted by Ruaidhri O’Dalaigh (Principal Conductor) and Frances Stoker-Phelan (Assistant Conductor) from around the world ranging from the Irish lullaby “Suantrí na Maighdine” to the traditional Spanish carol“Riu, Riu, Chiu” (sung by Stephen Mahady) to“Otche Nash” a Russian Orthodox Chant sung by the Chamber Choir. There were many traditional Christmas Carols too, with “Away in a manger” sung by Christopher Mahady, “O Holy Night” sung by Thomas Arnold and Emile Mullan, and an arrangement of “The Holly and The Ivy”for solo and duet arranged by Eunan McDonald. There were more unusual arrangements of“In the Bleak Mid Winter”and “The First Noel with Pachelbels Canon. The Carol service was sung out with the congregation singing the all time favorite’s Come, All Ye Faithful”.

The evening came to a close with Mr. Gerry Foley inviting everyone to come out into the court yard for mulled wine and hot steamy sausages just off the barbecue. Everyone gathered around in groups chatting, while the Christmas fair came to a close. It was a wonderful end not only to the Carol Service but to the Christmas market. Great credit is due to the boys for their hard work and dedication and for their amazing ability to rise to the occasion.

Frances Stoker-Phelan