Framlingham College celebrated their Carol Service this year in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds. It was a wonderful occasion with Laura Wright (OF) the top billing. Her rendition of ‘In a Bleak Midwinter’ supported by the College Choir was a particular highlight and the video capturing the day has already gone ‘mini viral’ on social media. Christmas is a time of cheer and festivity and it was thanks to the College Choir, the Chamber Choir and the Prep Choir that the entire service was brimming with delights and joy. Each choir in turn took our breaths away with their vocal range and fine-tuned audio beauty.
School Chaplain, Rev Brynn Bayman adapted the 138 year old Nine Lessons and Carols service as written by Archbishop Edward White Benson, to suit a younger more contemporary audience. The image of “stars on black velvet and candy clouds” drifting over the manger as read by Head of School, René Bahar made the story that bit more accessible. His message was a fitting reminder that Christmas is about God’s love to humanity and that in addition to the majesty of His creation, it was the gift of His Son that makes Christmas the “greatest wonder of all time” as read by Year 9 student Brodie Blore.
With a congregation of about a thousand strong, the occasion was brimming with exuberant worship, yet interspersed with majestic solos that allowed for angelic moments of delight. Finlay Bloore’s ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ solo, Jack Gionis on Trumpet and George Hunt’s version of the contemporary carol Riu, Riu, Chiu were particular highlights.
Bishop Graeme Knowles brought the occasion to a fitting climax and all who attended the service will enter the Christmas season with joyful purpose, a sense of responsibility of our place in society and that lingering invitation by Rev Bayman to “turn and smile at that person near you”.
Headmaster, Paul Taylor said, ‘We feel very blessed to be able to hold our Carol Service in the Cathedral. It was truly uplifting, deeply spiritual, and a fine affirmation of all that we are as a school and as a community.’
