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Candlelit carols with kantos
PROGRAMME
Handel/Mason arr. John Rutter Joy to the World
Peter Warlock Bethlehem Down
Congregational: arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams & Thomas Armstrong O Little Town of Bethlehem
Rory Wainwright Johnston Hush! My Dear, Lie Still and Slumber
Trad. arr. Bob Chilcott Sussex Carol
Franz Xaver Gruber arr. Mark Hewitt Silent Night
Congregational: W.J. Kirkpatrick arr. David Willcocks Away in a Manger
Cecilia McDowall Make We Joy Now In This Fest
Morten Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium
Trad. arr. Robin Wallington A La Nanita Nana
INTERVAL
James Pierpont arr. Ralph Allwood Jingle Bells
Winner of Kantos Christmas Carol Competition 2025: Jamie W. Hall Balulalow
Congregational: Mendelssohn, Descant & Organ by David Willcocks Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Cheryl Camm Cantate Domino
Will Todd My Lord Has Come
Congregational: English trad. carol, arr. David Willcocks God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
Anna Disley-Simpson Christmas Eve
Gustav Holst arr. Ola Gjeilo In the Bleak Midwinter
Congregational: Composer unknown, arr. David Willcocks O Come All Ye Faithful
Trad. arr. Jonathan Rathbone Carol Medley
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Conductor Ellie Slorach
Organ George Herbert
Programme Notes
This festive season, step in from the frosty air and join Kantos for a cosy evening of music by candlelight.
Alongside traditional favourites, Kantos performs stunning contemporary carols, including the winner of our Carol Competition 2025, judged by Cecilia McDowall. We’ll raise the roof together with our congregational carols (descants encouraged!), accompanied by the outstanding organist, George Herbert. With the soft glow of candles, festive refreshments, and the breathtaking sound of Kantos, this promises to be the perfect way to kickstart your Christmas celebrations.
Handel/Mason arr. John Rutter Joy to the World
In keeping with its title, this Christmas carol is bursting with joyous energy. Taking Lowell Mason’s melody, which was based on an earlier melody by Handel, Rutter adds a virtuosic organ accompaniment.
Peter Warlock Bethlehem Down
This carol was composed in 1927 by Peter Warlock, the pseudonym of Philip Arnold Heseltine, with words by poet and journalist, Bruce Blunt. The pair entered the carol into The Daily Telegraph’s annual Christmas carol competition and won. The carol then financed an ‘immortal carouse’ for the winning duo..!
Congregational: arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams & Thomas Armstrong O Little Town of Bethlehem
1) O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
2) O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And Peace to men on earth;
For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
3) Kantos
4) O holy child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.
Rory Wainwright Johnston Hush! My Dear, Lie Still and Slumber
‘Written for ORA Singers' Christmas Gift 2019, ‘Hush! My dear, lie still and slumber’ is a carol that aims to recreate the primal soothing feeling one gets from a reassuring 'hush'. The text is a lullaby for the baby Jesus written by Isaac Watts in 1720, as Song 8 from the ‘Moral Songs’ of Divine and Moral Songs for Children. Exploration of the voice’s effect on emotion was the main starting point for this carol. It utilises what some like to call ‘primal sounds’ – original or primitive sounds that could be described as inner and original to humans and other mammals – which people instinctively understand and emotionally react to. The ‘hush’-ing sound in this carol places the listener in the arms of Mary, to be soothed by her lullaby and gentle calming sounds. The piece starts with a solo, allowing the sound world to develop naturally, reaching a peak of restlessness, before being gently brought back to rest by the ‘hush’-ing solo voice.’
Rory Wainwright Johnston
Trad. arr. Bob Chilcott Sussex Carol
This lively arrangement of the Sussex Carol changes the original 6/8 time signature to 7/8, adding a fun twist to the traditional rhythm. The sparky accompaniment with light accents bouncing across the changing time signatures, plus the additional canonic entries in successive verses creates a lively atmosphere that rings of good news!
Franz Xaver Gruber arr. Mark Hewitt Silent Night
An iconic Christmas melody, known to millions as a simple lullaby. However, the imagery of the text has prompted from me a more elaborate musical setting. My response is akin to the those Renaissance paintings of the Nativity which do not portray the holy family as poor people in humble surroundings but rather as royal, rich in colour and opulent in manner. I have sought to capture a sense of calm but also of radiance, the music ringing out the joy of Christ's birth. The original melody by Franz Gruber is not present throughout the piece but is hinted at in verses one and two before emerging complete in verses three and four.
Mark Hewitt
Congregational: W.J. Kirkpatrick arr. David Willcocks Away in a Manger
1) Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
2) Kantos
3) Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.
Cecilia McDowall Make We Joy Now In This Fest
This fourth-century macaronic carol describes the events of the Nativity from the prophecy of a virgin birth to the infant lying in a manger. In Cecilia McDowall’s setting, the exuberant syncopated rhythms of the titular refrain, and repeated exclamations of ‘Eya!’, combine to bring a wonderful sense of celebration. Described in Australia’s premier art magazine, Limelight, as ‘a must for anyone’s Christmas playlist.’ © 2025 Helen Stanley
Morten Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium
This setting of O magnum mysterium, written in 1994, is probably Lauridsen’s most well-known composition. It has rich indulgent harmonic progressions and sustained vocal lines. The climax introduces the text ‘Alleluia’ and arrives at the culmination of one long journey (since the very beginning of the piece) of getting gradually louder.
Trad. arr. Robin Wallington A La Nanita Nana
‘A La Nanita Nana’ has become one of the most popular Christmas time lullabies in the Hispanic world. Originally written in 1904 by José Ramón Gomis, it has entered the repertory of modern folk song worldwide, inspiring performances ranging from symphony orchestras to The Cheetah Girls. In this version, the hypnotic rocking of the cradle combines with the bravura of flamenco rhythms for a truly Iberian lullaby.
INTERVAL
James Pierpont arr. Ralph Allwood Jingle Bells
This is a lively a capella arrangement of a popular favourite; Allwood uses underlying musical motors that roll along throughout so we truly feel like we’re dashing through the snow..!
Jamie W. Hall Balulalow
Kantos Carol Competition Winner 2025
The aim with this setting was to combine the quiet warmth and intimacy that exists between mother and newborn, with a joyful bubbling-over of love, not simply of parent towards child, but the love of all believers for the infant Christ. Sudden harmonic shifts, and changes of vocal colour emulate the way strong emotions creep up on us, almost in waves. Jamie W. Hall
Jamie W. Hall is a South Yorkshire–born composer whose unexpected path into choral music shapes his distinctive voice. First inspired by stage musicals, he discovered choral singing at university and has since become known for creating music that feels natural and rewarding to sing. A long-standing baritone with the BBC Singers, he writes with deep insight into vocal colour, expressive nuance, and lyrical clarity.
His portfolio ranges from works for leading professional choirs to accessible pieces for community ensembles, including his acclaimed SAB series. His Choirs Against Cancer project has united singers worldwide and raised over £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Congregational: Mendelssohn, Descant & Organ by David Willcocks Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1) Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.
2) Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of a virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.
3) Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.
Cheryl Camm Cantate Domino
The first of a series of five Christmas Fanfares which are characterised by bold rhythms and antiphonal textures. It uses rhythmic patterns inspired by interlocking ostinati in Balinese gamelan music in the upper parts, and floating monophonic textures in the lower voices.
Cheryl Camm
Will Todd My Lord Has Come
‘In summer 2010 Oxford University Press was searching for material for a new Carols for Choirs book to celebrate 50 years since ‘Carols for Choirs 1’ was first published (bringing enduring favourites to the choral world, including Sir David Willcocks’ memorable descant to O Come, All Ye Faithful and his beautiful arrangement of Away in a Manger). I was delighted that my carol My Lord Has Come was chosen by current editors Bob Chilcott and David Blackwell to be included in the new edition. Such an exciting moment, as I have wonderful memories of singing music from the earlier Carols for Choirs books in my formative years.’ Will Todd
This heartfelt setting of words by the composer begins with a pianissimo drone over which the sopranos introduce the expressive melody. It has lush harmonies, moments of dynamic intensity, and an overriding sense of awe.
Congregational: English traditional carol, arranged by David Willcocks God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
1) God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
2) From God our heav’nly Father
A blessed angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
O tidings…
3) The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoicèd much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway
This blessed babe to find:
O tidings…
4) But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereat this infant lay,
They found him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings…
5) Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface:
O tidings…
Anna Disley-Simpson Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve (2019) was written in response to the famous poem Twas the night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, a work many of us remember fondly from our childhoods. Both the text, written by Ollie Kaiper-Leach, and the music aim to encompass that bubbling hushed excitement we felt as children at Christmas time. At certain points, the individual vocal parts emulate a mystical whisper, the spark of a glinting candle, chiming bells and declamatory trumpets, resulting in a jubilant and shimmering sound world.
Anna Disley-Simpson
Gustav Holst arr. Ola Gjeilo In the Bleak Midwinter
Ola Gjeilo's a cappella arrangement of the beloved Christmas carol ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ brings a contemporary, atmospheric feel to Gustav Holst's timeless melody.
Congregational: Composer unknown, arranged by David Willcocks O Come All Ye Faithful
1) O come all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye
to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
2) God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! He abhors not
The Virgin’s womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
O come...
3) Kantos
4) Lo! Star-led chieftains,
Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer him incense,
Gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child
Bring our hearts’ oblations:
O come...
5) Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens
of heav’n above;
Glory to God
In the highest:
O come...
Trad. arr. Jonathan Rathbone Carol Medley
Jonathan Rathbone, a previous member of the Swingle Singers, ties together a medley of carols in a jam-packed 3 minutes; Deck the Halls, I Saw Three Ships, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The Holly and the Ivy, The First Nowell and Past 3 O'Clock.
THE CHOIR
SOPRANO
Saskia Bibb
Emily Brown Gibson
Sarah Keirle-Dos Santos
Megan Rickard
Dominique Saulnier
*Emily Ampt
ALTO
Jessica Conway
Lorna Day
Toluwani Idowu
Rachel Singer
*Madeleine Wickham Brown
TENOR
Brennan Alleyne
Alex Kyle
Joseph Martin
William North
BASS
Sam Gilliatt
Jonny Hill
Harry Mobbs
David Valsamidis
*Students from the Royal Northern College of Music on Kantos’ Professional Experience Scheme
THE TEAM
Company Director Claire Shercliff
Creative Director Ellie Slorach
Production Manager Adam Critchlow
Communications & Audience Officer Ailsa Burns
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