Choir of Christ Church St Laurence sings Christmas carols in NSW Parliament
Thursday, 26 November 2009.
On Thursday 10 December, the prestigious and world-renowned Choir of Christ Church St Laurence will present a program of Christmas carols in New South Wales Parliament.
Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, NSW Parliamentary Leader of Family First, will host this traditional night of carols in Parliament House. He stated, “In a time of great uncertainty, I invite members of the public to bring their family and friends, and embrace the spirit of Christmas at this unique celebration.”
The Choir of Christ Church St Laurence is one of the oldest continuing choral groups in Australia and was founded shortly after the consecration of the Church in 1845. It performs an extensive repertoire incorporating music from Gregorian chant through to the works of 21st century composers with a special emphasis on performing music from the polyphonic schools of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Apart from the commitment to liturgical worship, the Choir regularly gives concerts. In recent years, performances have included works such as Bach’s St. John Passion and Christmas Oratorio, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, Haydn’s Creation and Arvo Part’s Passio, which was sung in the presence of the composer.
Broadcast on national radio and television, the Choir has also released several recordings, including the first ever-recorded performance of Victoria’s Missa Surge Propera (for which it received a nomination for ‘Best Classical Recording of 1990’ in the Australian Recording Industry Awards).
The Choir has toured extensively in New Zealand, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In January 2007 it was, for the second time, invited to be choir-in-residence at Westminster Abbey.
The Choir of Christ Church St Laurence will perform the following hymns in NSW Parliament:
Matin Responsary; Come Thou redeemer of the earth; A great and mighty wonder; The Angel Gabriel; Quem pastores laudavere; The angels and the shepherds; Once in royal David’s city; I saw a maiden; Jesus Christ the Apple Tree; The Three Kings; Carol of the Bells; Ding Dong merrily on high, All this time; and O come, O come all ye faithful.
The event is scheduled on Thursday 10 December from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. It will be held at the Fountain Court foyer in New South Wales Parliament, Macquarie Street. This event is free and open to members of the public.
As seating is limited, we strongly advise that you book early to avoid disappointment. To RSVP, please contact Leslie McCawley on 02 9230 3341 or email leslie.mccawley@parliament.nsw.gov.au
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