Royal Hospital Chelsea: The Chelsea Pensioners' Carol Service 2025

The Chelsea Pensioners' Carol Service 2025 Wren Chapel, Royal Hospital Chelsea Sunday 21st December, 15:30 Order of Service: The Lamb – Elizabeth Poston (1905-87), arr. William Vann (b. 1982) Once in royal David’s city – H. J. Gauntlett (1805-1976), arr. A. H. Mann (1850-1929) & David Willcocks (1919-2015) Bidding Prayers Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen – Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), arr. Donald Cashmore (1926-2013) 1st reading - Genesis O Come, O come, Emmanuel - 15th century French arr. David Willcocks 2nd reading - Isaiah Sussex Carol – English trad. arr. Philip Ledger (1937-2012) 3rd reading - The Annunciation Mater ora filium – Charles Wood (1866-1926), arr. Harrison Oxley (1933-2009) Good King Wenceslas – Melody from Piae Cantiones arr. Reginald Jacques (1894-1969) 4th reading – The Birth of Jesus I saw three ships – English trad., arr. Richard Lloyd (1933-2021) It came upon the midnight clear – Trad. English adap. and harm. Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) and John Scott (1956-2015) 5th reading – The Shepherds O little town of Bethlehem – Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941), arr. William Vann (b. 1982) 6th reading – The Wise Men The First Nowell – English trad. arr. Willcocks Bethlehem Down – Peter Warlock (1894-1930) 7th reading – St John unfolds the Mystery of the Incarnation Closing Prayer and Blessing Hark! the herald angels sing – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), arr. Willcocks The National Anthem - arr. Gordon Jacob Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54 No. 6 – Louis Vierne (1870-1937) With thanks to: The Reverend Steven Brookes, Chaplain of the Royal Hospital Chelsea The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea Sopranos: Kate Ashby, Eloise Irving, Leah Jackson, Emma Jones Altos: Cara Curran, Helena Cooke Tenors: Jonathan Beatty, Edward Hughes Basses: Jack Comerford, Tristan Hambleton, Angus McPhee, Thomas Stoddart William Vann - Organist and Director of Music Mark Zang - Organ Scholar Nally Fernando - Chapel Administrator Wren Brass: Trumpets: Joe Sharp, Nigel Fish Trombones: Amy Wetmore, George Bartle Tuba: Jeff Miller Live streaming by In-Pensioner Brian Connor