100 years of a Festival of nine Lessons and Carols | King's College Choir

a documentary of our beloved Kings College Choir

[@ianreardon93]

I queued all night for the centenary service and managed to get a seat in the main chapel, beside the choir. Many familiar faces in the documentary! It was all the more special since it was Sir Stephen Cleobury's last.

[@worldnotworld]

I don't believe Cleobury's explanation for why the solo chorister is called out at (literally) the last second. Of course one could have backups in case of sore throats, and of course a trained, mature chorister (which year 7 and 8 soloists generally are) could handle the stress of such expectation. No: it's the very spontaneity of it, the challenge of it, the craziness of the dare, that is so appealing to everyone. Whenever I describe the tradition to someone unfamiliar with it, they "get it" right away without any need to rationalize it on pragmatic terms. It's just cool.

[@MS-19]

Cleobury gave the same explanation in an article he wrote for Cathedral Music magazine in the 1990s - his words in that, more or less, were "So that he does not have to spend days worrying about it beforehand, the chosen chorister is informed only as the light starts flashing to signal that we are about to go on air."

[@carolynlevering5703]

Being a part of this process is most definitely satisfying of manyAfter 23 years singing it in Fkft. I look forward to loving it again . ❤

[@koromoa319]

I didn't know i was caught on this documentary while queueing for a standby ticket (6:05-6:10).Luckily, I managed to get a seat near the altar only ten mins before the service begun! It was the best memory during my study abroad.

[@the.minerat]

It must be amazing to listen and watch the choir live in real time!!

[@koromoa319]

@@the.minerat It really is! You should definitely attend their service if you haven't

[@elisa7881]

Such beautiful traditions; never to be lost.

[@worldnotworld]

Pray for the tradition. It has its enemies, even within.

[@davidlwebb324]

Simply glorious.

[@toddfouts]

Thanks for sharing this! Was especially moved at the story of young Vladimir Pantea, who has gone on to achieve legendary status (in my book) as the singer of that absolutely stunning solo in Philip Moore’s setting of The Angel Gabriel.

[@davidjohnalpha]

a big pity they sold out (the "rights') to an American Company & now disallows free public view! YES, this is probably my favourite music in the world - I love music from the Kings.

[@petersumner7367]

one pair of ears one stereo microphone

[@worldnotworld]

53:50 -- there is some theological controversy concerning what was meant by "the other shore..."

[@thomashenrydoak9150]

Sorry. It's not actually "unity and brotherhood" it's unity and fellowship and obviously you can't quibble about it. My apologies again.

[@sofiaetrujillo]

does anyone know the song at the beginning when she is doing the introduction?

[@the.minerat]

No, sorry, I don't know. Maybe the music- finder app Shazam knows it?!

[@sofiaetrujillo]

@@the.minerat i tried that :( its such a good song i wish they linked it

[@the.minerat]

@@sofiaetrujillo Yes, it's a magnificent song, maybe it's on the Music of King's CD?

[@sofiaetrujillo]

@@the.minerat Thank you so much, I found it! "Can I not syng but hoy?"

[@markswintonorganist8227]

"Can I not syng but Hoy?" composed by Francis Jackson. It was included in the 2017 Festival of Lessons and Carols as a nod to Jackson's 100th birthday that year.

[@michaelthompson9026]

Novena to baby Jesus

[@folakemiogunseiju4157]

I don't know why they won't mention Jesus who the whole season is about.

[@worldnotworld]

We know all too well. It is a precarious tradition.

[@thomashenrydoak9150]

Might I respectfully suggest that ".. We pray for unity and brotherhood within the church he came to build" be replaced with ".... Unity and concord within the church he came in build."? Brotherhood is applicable to brothers only.

[@worldnotworld]

I strongly reject your suggestion. This sort of PC-ness is aggressively erosive of tradition. Next you'll be wanting girls in the choir, God help us.