Pupils, families and staff gathered for Epsom’s traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, superbly led by the Chapel Choir, in a fittingly festive and reflective conclusion to Michaelmas Term.
The service was based on the original Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve in 1918.
As tradition dictates, the Chapel Choir opened the service with a moving performance of Once in Royal David’s City, sung by Barnaby Lobb (C). The carols sung by the choir ranged from traditional favourites such as Darke’s In the Bleak Mid-Winter to Howard Skempton’s contemporary setting of Adam lay ybounden.
The carols were interspersed with the Nine Lessons read by the Headmaster, Mr Jay Piggot; a departing Member of the Common Room, Mrs Kate Hancock; the Head of School, Mackenzie Mully; and pupils from across the senior school.
