STAHS families filled St Albans Cathedral on Tuesday evening for our annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

This special carol service was led by the Dean of St Albans Cathedral, the Reverend Doctor Jo Kelly-Moore – who is also a STAHS governor – with support from Rev Rosie. Our five choirs and the Senior Brass Ensemble made a significant contribution to the beauty of the service, and our student readers impressed us enormously with their clear and confident delivery of the ancient Christmas story.

Special mentions need to go to three Year 11 students: Libby G, who performed on the organ before the service, Xanthe B, who accompanied the Year 7 Choir, and Hailey M, who accompanied the Middle School Choir.

Ten Year 13 students gave stunning solo performances, with Lizzie N opening the service with the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City from the organ loft. Lizzie S, Tishe A and Mattie T shone as the three kings, Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, and Arshya B, Kitan O, Grace P, Louisa B, Lara E and Joan A all gave emotional renditions in the The Holly and the Ivy.

The final anthem was a spirited rendition of The Sussex Carol, with Joan A leading the choir in her solo verses. As always, the choirs led the worship with their enthusiastic singing of the carols with the traditional descants, while the Senior Brass Ensemble impressed with their rendition of the Willcocks’ fanfares in Hark the Herald and O Come, All Ye Faithful alongside Mr Miles on organ and Mr Holling on snare drum.

A huge thanks to everyone in the Music Department who conducted, accompanied, played and helped rehearse ahead of the event.

To see the full gallery of images, please click here.