Christmas at Bedales

With many of the usual end-of-term Christmas events affected by COVID restrictions this year, musicians at Bedales have pulled out the stops to produce an array of wonderful music content to spread some festive cheer.

In the absence of the annual Advent Service at All Saints’ Church, Steep, the Music department put together a short Carol Service. As well as traditional carols such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Little Town of Bethlehem, the service – which was filmed at the church in early December – also features a new carol, Lullay, Lulla, by the young British composer Philip Stopford. Readings are given by students Xander Greening, Max Chassels, Jessica Asamoa and Emilia Barnsdale-Ward, with staff contributions from Clare Jarmy, Tanya Bracci and Magnus Bashaarat.

Watch the full Bedales Carol Service

As well as the traditional offering, Bedales Contemporary Music students released a number of recordings in the run-up to the festive period: Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Christmas Wrapping and Do You Believe. Head of Contemporary Music Neil Hornsby and students were keen to respond to a call-out from Bedales’ partner charity FitzRoy for contributions to their carol concert, which was livestreamed on 17 December and is available to view here.

Watch all Bedales Contemporary Music Christmas songs rolled into one video