Tidings of Joy

Join the Chanticleer Singers for our much-loved annual Christmas Cracker concert, a festive evening that weaves together timeless carols, modern choral gems, and joyful seasonal favourites.

This year’s programme, Tidings of Joy, brings together a rich tapestry of sacred and celebratory music: from the mystical beauty of Arvo Pärt’s Bogoroditse and John Tavener’s The Lamb, to the radiant sounds of Elizabeth Poston’s Jesus Christ the Apple Tree and Karl Jenkins’ rousing Gaudete.

The journey continues with Nicolai Kedrov’s Otche Nash, Jan Sweelinck’s Hodie Christus natus est, Samuel Scheidt’s A Child is Born in Bethlehem, Matthew Culloton’s In dulci jubilo, and Bob Chilcott’s touching Lully, Lulla. We also celebrate South African voices with Motshwane Pege’s Angele Dei and Pieter-Louis van Dijk’s Gifts.

Newer festive gems include Peter Gritton’s Follow That Star and Kathleen Allan’s Ring Out Ye Bells, alongside arrangements of beloved seasonal cheer — Ben Parry’s Jingle Bells and Vicente Chavarría’s Gloucestershire Wassail — guaranteed to send you into the season with joy in your heart.

Come and share in this uplifting celebration of music, poetry, and Christmas spirit.