A busy Christmas for the Cathedral Choir

Advent and Christmas are extremely busy times of the year for the Cathedral Choir.  There are multiple services, concerts and events, all at the time of year that we are usually battling colds and flu.  Regular rehearsals and maintaining good vocal health are vital, but the choristers and choral scholars also have a lot of fun.

The two Advent services at the end of November, which include readings and carols, begin the Advent journey, starting in pitch darkness while gradually the Cathedral is lit by hundreds of candles.  The first of the Advent Candles is taken in procession through the church accompanied by the outstanding voices of the choir. 

Seniors members of Lichfield Cathedral Choir performed a lunchtime recital at the Town Hall in Birmingham in early December. Conducted by Mr Ben Lamb, Director of Music, and accompanied by Birmingham City Organist, Thomas Trotter, the choir sang a selection of all-time Christmas favourites, and the audience were encouraged to join in by host, Jeremy Nicholas. The performance was very well received by all who attended. The Choir has already been booked to sing next year on December 21st 2026.

The Choir's annual concert, Christmas by Candlelight on 22nd December, was once again sold out.  Featuring new and classic arrangements of carols and the Staffordshire Brass Quintet, the concert was a truly beautiful reminder of the essence of Christmas.

Yesterday and today, the Cathedral Choir celebrate the promise of the Christmas story during the Nine Lessons and Carols, with carols, hymns and other choral music interspersed with readings.

Tomorrow, the Choir will sing Choral Eucharist for Christmas Day - if you cannot make it in person to the Cathedral, it will be livestreamed.  The service is led by the Dean, with a sermon given by the Bishop of Lichfield.

If all this leaves you inspired to do more singing, our MusicShare programme offers several community choirs:

Mini Voices for ages 0 to 5

Young Yoices for ages 6 to 11

Youth Voices for ages 12 to 18

Ladies Who Lark for ages 18+

City of Sanctuary Voices for all ages