Dec. 13 & 14, 2025 – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kent CT Knox Sutterfield, cond.
Following the format of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols out of King’s College, Cambridge, England, our 2025 holiday concert alternates seasonal carols with poetry readings.
Both performances were very good, but Sunday was generally the better of the two in my opinion. The player below has the Sunday version of all songs and readings except these, from Saturday:
Up, Good Christen Folk, and Listen
Gabriel’s Message
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
If you would like to listen to individual songs from either performance, or listen to an entire concert from start to finish, see the Concert Archives page. You can also find a link to the concert program and photo gallery there.
Willcocks (arr): Once in Royal David's CIty
Woodward (arr): Up! Good Christen Folk, and Listen
Christina Rossetti: Advent (excerpt)
Ord: Adam Lay Ybounden
Ledger (arr): O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Hafez: Rubaiyat 16
Distler/Praetorius: Variations on Es ist ein Rose entsprungen
Willan: What is This Lovely Fragrance?
Parker/Shaw: The Holly and the Ivy
Edwin Muir: Annunciation (excerpt)
Pettman/Willcocks (arr): Gabriel's Message
V. Williams/Ledger/Armstrong (arr): O Little Town of Bethlehem
Thomas Hardy: And There Was a Great Calm (excerpt)
Stopford: Lully, Lulla, Lullay
Williamson: This Christmas Night
Danez Smith: little prayer
Rutter: What Sweeter Music
Ratcliff: Past Three O'Clock
Rutter: Shepherd's Pipe Carol
Rumi: Each Note (excerpt, trans. by Coleman Banks)
Both performances were very good, but Sunday was generally the better of the two in my opinion. This playlist has the Sunday version of all songs and readings except these, from Saturday:
Up, Good Christen Folk, and Listen
Gabriel’s Message
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol
Willcocks (arr): Once in Royal David's CIty
Woodward (arr): Up! Good Christen Folk, and Listen
Christina Rossetti: Advent (excerpt)
Ord: Adam Lay Ybounden
Ledger (arr): O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Hafez: Rubaiyat 16
Distler/Praetorius: Variations on Es ist ein Rose entsprungen
Willan: What is This Lovely Fragrance?
Parker/Shaw: The Holly and the Ivy
Edwin Muir: Annunciation (excerpt)
Pettman/Willcocks (arr): Gabriel's Message
V. Williams/Ledger/Armstrong (arr): O Little Town of Bethlehem
Thomas Hardy: And There Was a Great Calm (excerpt)
Stopford: Lully, Lulla, Lullay
Williamson: This Christmas Night
Danez Smith: little prayer
Rutter: What Sweeter Music
Ratcliff: Past Three O'Clock
Rutter: Shepherd's Pipe Carol
Rumi: Each Note (excerpt, trans. by Coleman Banks)
Did you know that ancient celebrations of the winter solstice are the beginnings of our beloved holiday carols? This program explores the origins and development of carols and Christmas songs that evolved over centuries, and were adapted to different cultures. Audience members will be invited to participate in singing some of the familiar holiday songs.
Crescendo Chorus and Vocal Ensemble Singers, with Christine Gevert, organ and direction
December 21, 2025 at 4pm Saint James Place Great Barrington, MA
The Kent Singers gave their annual holiday concert to two full-house audiences on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Church in Kent, CT.
Following the format of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols out of King’s College, Cambridge, England, the concert alternated seasonal carols with poetry readings.
As we did last year, we are starting by soliciting ads to local businesses by mail. Later we may ask you to follow up in person with businesses who have not responded, if necessary.
A mailing to previous advertisers and potential new advertisers suggested by our members has been prepared, but it’s not too late to reach out to other possible advertisers if you know of some good prospects. Ad orders are due by November 1.
