Enjoy our carols countdown

Throughout Advent we have been sharing a carol a day to celebrate Norwich Cathedral Choir’s new festive album Lord of the Dance: Christmas Carols from Norwich Cathedral.

Below some of our wonderful singers and members of the Cathedral's music team have also been sharing what they love most about these beautiful carols.

Lord of the Dance was recorded by Deux-Elles Classical Recordings in Norwich Cathedral’s Nave in June this year, with the choir joined by music ensemble Onyx Brass and the Cathedral's Organist Emeritus David Dunnett.

The album is available now on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. It is also available to buy in a CD format from the Cathedral gift shop for an introductory price of £10.

O come, Emmanuel

"One of my highlights in the lead up to Christmas is the singing of the great Advent ‘O’ antiphons. This hymn and its iconic tune brings together these ancient texts to create what is, for me, the sound of Advent."

Isaac Cooper, Lay Clerk

Away in a manger

"As a chorister it’s exciting and even a little scary to take part in Christmas services in the Cathedral, because you want to do well for everyone there. But there is something so comforting and calm about singing Away in a Manger, it’s so soothing and sweet in the big space of the Cathedral."

Ren Cubitt, Chorister

Once in Royal David's City

“Once in Royal David’s City is the carol that starts off a service of Nine Lessons and Carols around the world. It’s the first solo I ever sang as a four-year-old in a little village north of Sri Lanka more than 35 years ago, and the sound of the choristers singing the first verse at Norwich Cathedral is always magical and nostalgic!”

Dhilan Gnanadurai, Lay Clerk

Lord of the Dance

"Although not a typical text for a Christmas carol, the story of Christ's life, death and resurrection is brought to life by Mr Grote's festive arrangement. I can't wait to continue the seasonal music in my fifth Christmas as a chorister!"

Charlotte Platten, Chorister

The First Nowell

"The First Nowell is one of my favourite Christmas carols. It’s easy to sing and has such a lovely tune that it always fills me with Christmas joy."

Sam Zhou, Chorister

Alleluia! A New Work is Come on Hand

"Bob Chilcott composed this wonderful carol for us in 2023, in celebration of the rebuilding of our Cathedral organ. As with all his music, it sets the text so perfectly – the folk-like melody and dancing rhythms bring the 15th century text alive in a sort of medieval sound world, with a modern twist. A brilliant addition to the repertoire!"

Ashley Grote, Organist and Master of Music

In the Stillness

"I love In the Stillness, it is a very calming and reflective carol to sing at Christmas. It holds special memories for me looking back on the times we have sung it in the triforium gallery during my years as a chorister."

Bella Grubb, Chorister

O Little Town of Bethlehem

"O Little Town of Bethlehem is a staple of the season, and is a hymn that I look forward to singing each year. It is made all the more special in verse three, when the whole Cathedral (apart from the choir) goes quiet in holy reverence of the nativity scene. 'How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n!'."

Fred Stanford, Lay Clerk

In dulci jubilo

"I really like this piece because it’s so beautiful. It’s interesting how the composer chooses to transition languages throughout. I really enjoy singing unaccompanied pieces in the Cathedral, as our voices soar into the space."

Max Kotzee, Chorister

I Saw Three Ships

"I Saw Three Ships is one of the carols I enjoyed singing most as a chorister at Christmas. It is exciting and fun to sing and full of hope."

Sam Irvine, Former Head Chorister

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

"I love the intimacy and ethereal wonder of the angels' song travelling through the stillness of the night in this carol. "O hush the noise, ye men of strife"...what could be more appropriate in the troubled world we live in?"

Willow Swiatek, Lay Clerk

Silent Night

"I really like ‘Silent Night’ because of the harmonies, and it’s very peaceful - especially with the acoustics in the cathedral when it’s silent. I’m happy to sing it again for my second Christmas as a Chorister."

Zoe Asamoah, Chorister

Midwinter

“I love Midwinter, it’s a beautiful flowing melody and I love the change between the soft beginning and the loud middle. My favourite bit is the start, when just the choristers sing the tune.”

Felix Tooley, Chorister

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

“Hearing the Cathedral Choir sing While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks is just so evocative of Christmas at Norwich Cathedral. The final verse is a message of hope and peace from the angels that speaks to the spirit of the festive season.”

Helen Morsia, Liturgy and Music Administrator

My Lord Has Come

"I think that My Lord Has Come is one of the most beautiful Christmas pieces written. I love the way it starts off so tentatively, and continues to build throughout the piece. It perfectly reflects the magic that is found at Christmas."

Hannah Kelleway, Head Girl Chorister

O Come, All Ye Faithful

“I love the harmonies in O Come All Ye Faithful. It sounds brilliant singing together with the altos, tenors and basses. The descant at the end is really exciting!”

Sébastien Dubroeucq, Head Chorister

Sussex Carol

"Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of the Sussex Carol really brings it to life. It’s so dance like and springy!"

Otter Gibbs Peel, Chorister

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

"A carol service would not be complete without Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, especially with Sir David Willcock’s magnificent fanfare and descant. I have always increased my enjoyment of Christmas by using full organ at the end of this wonderful hymn!"

David Dunnett, Organist Emeritus

Jingle Bells

"Everyone learnt this great tune on recorders when in primary school, now scaled up with a great arrangement and with added brass! We love to sing it in the choir. It's a huge crowd-pleaser and as the percussionist-in-residence in the choir, I get to play the sleigh bells!"

Colin Shaw, Lay Clerk

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas is always the last carol we sing, so it feels like we’re sending everyone home with a smile. I really enjoy singing it because it’s so fun and bouncy, you can see the whole congregation brighten up. But honestly, whenever we sing it, I can’t help wondering...does anyone actually like figgy pudding?"

Theo Holden, Chorister

Norwich Cathedral Choir's new festive album Lord of the Dance: Christmas Carols from Norwich Cathedral is available now on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.

The album is also available to buy in a CD format from the Cathedral gift shop for an introductory price of £10.

The album was made possible due to funding from The Statham Society, Norwich Cathedral’s group of dedicated music supporters, and a generous legacy.