Chapel services

In addition to the regular Chapel services, the Chapel organises a number of special events and services which take place during the year. You can view more information about past events held in Chapel, and a summary of events is shown below.

Advent Carol Service

The College held two Advent Carol Services on the 26 and 27 November 2011.  The Sunday Service was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

The next Advent Carol Services will be held on 24 and 25 November 2012.

The Service sheet for the last service can be found below. 

You may listen again with the Webcast (opened via www.sjcchoir.co.uk).

• 2011 Advent Carol Service Order of Service
  
  
  

Epiphany Carol Service

Two candlelit services, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January at 6.00pm, of readings and music to celebrate the season of Epiphany.

Music this year will include a World Premier on the Saturday of A child is born in Bethlehem MacMillan, Coventry Carol Leighton, Videte miraculum Tallis and Nunc dimittis Holst. The readings and hymns tell the story of the coming of Christ, the Magi’s visit, and the presentation in the Temple.

Please note that this service is unsitable for babies and toddlers.

Application for Tickets have now closed, however there will still be seats available on each night for those without tickets.

Lent Meditation Service

A service of music and readings reflecting on the Passion of Christ, held this year on Sunday March 11 at 6.00pm.

• 2012 Meditation on the Passion of Christ Order of Service

Ascension Day

Every year on Ascension Day, the Choir ascends the 163ft Chapel Tower and sings the Ascension Day Carol.

This custom dates from 1902 and was begun by the then Director of Music, Cyril Rootham, following a conversation with Sir Joseph Larmor. Sir Jospeh was insistent that a choir singing from the tower would not be heard from the ground. Rootham was keen to prove him wrong and saw Ascension Day as the perfect time to do it.

Without telling anyone in College, the Choir ascended the tower and as the clock finished striking noon, they started to sing an Ascension Day Carol. To Rootham's delight, he saw Sir Joseph open his window in the court below to see where the music was coming from. The event proved popular and since then it has been repeated every year.

Ash Wednesday Choral Evensong

A special Choral Evensong which takes place on Ash Wednesday.