Including the singers, over 500 people attended the Cathedral for our “Carols of the Roseland” Service.
This year our annual carols celebrated carols with connections to the Roseland. No less than four choirs performed during the course of the evening, which were the Roseland Churches Choir, Roseland Carol Choir, Roseland Youth Carol Choir, and Amici Voci. The evening commenced with everyone singing “Arise and Hail” accompanied by St Anthony’s Noyse Band. The band went on to accompany three further carols during the course of the evening. All of the choirs performed beautifully, but a highlight was when the Youth Choir sang “Ruan Lanihorne”, a new composition by Gareth Churcher.
Brief readings from Roseland locals, and Bert Biscoe provided intervals during the service, whilst the whole service was led by Reverand Cannon Alan Bashforth, who has worked with us for many years. The evening finished with a robust singing of “While Shepherds Watch to the much loved Lyngham. The whole evening was a terrific success, thanks are due to our hosts, Truro OCS, and to the project leads Cornish National Music Archive, Roseland Music Society, and St Gerrans & Porthscatho OCS.
A great joy of the project was its inclusivity drawing support from many Roseland community organisations. A huge number of people were involved in the success of the project but two in particular deserve special mention; Pam Carbis who formed and rehearsed two new choirs to learn and perform the carols; and Dr Kate Neale who’s expert research is responsible for the fantastic new book “Carols of the Roseland”.
Watch the carol service online: https://www.youtube.com/live/fSRHnGj3qoA?si=UnS5wOfkOGM_PXCR