Thursday 7th December was Coopersale Hall’s Carol Concert in St John’s Church, Epping. A service of readings and poems interspersed with musical numbers, it began with the traditional “Once in Royal David’s City”, with the first verse sung by Ivy Cox, Year 7. Every child in Years 3-7 took part in a performance, with Year 6 taking the lead with the readings and acting out parts of the Nativity. Year 4 were first with their rendition of “Infant Holy”. Year 4 played descant and treble recorders and were accompanied by Simran (sopranino), Poppy (tenor) and Rauf (bass). Concert Band then took to the stage with a more modern performance of “Bethlehem Blues”, with solos from Blaise and Poppy. Year 3 then performed “Sweet Chiming Bells”, their beautiful voices and bells ringing out through the church.
The Year 5 string group, featuring guitars, ukuleles and violins, then performed the calming lullaby, “Away in a Manger”. Next came the orchestra’s performance of “Carol of the drum”, the important drum part provided by Emilia and Dustie. Choir then sang the hauntingly beautiful “Away from Home”, describing the thoughts of the Magi as they travelled into the unknown.
Year 7 took to the stage for an impressive, a capella version of “Personet Hodie”, singing confidently, in Latin, their voices soaring through the church. After final prayers from our Head Boy and Girl the whole church sang the uplifting carol “Joy to the World” before Mrs Doherty and Mrs Osborne shared their final thoughts on the meaning of Christmas.
