Advent 2: Silent Night, Holy Night

Of all the sensory experiences connected with Advent and Christmas, music is often cited as bringing on strong memories for visitors at Chester Cathedral. 

This is borne out by the thousands who attend services, concerts, and other musical events at the Cathedral given by our own Cathedral choirs and external providers. 

The boy and girl choristers, Lay Clerks, and members of the Nave Choir, have been busy rehearsing for upcoming services and concerts throughout Advent and Christmas. This year you can expect to hear seasonal favourites like Ding Dong! Merrily on high in an arrangement by John Bawden alongside fresh additions to the choir's repertoire including an exciting new setting of I saw three ships by Stuart Nicholson. 

The piece used for our Music Department video in our Christmas Campaign (watch on Facebook and Instagram) was written by our Head of Outreach and Assistant Organist, Dan Mathieson, and was recorded by our Lay Clerks in our atmospheric St Anselm’s Chapel.  

We hope you will join us during Advent, Christmas, and anytime for worship and concerts given by the Cathedral Choirs. You can find out more about the training we give to our choristers, our organs, and the musical tradition at Chester Cathedral, here.