An Evening of Music and Light - The High School Carol Service

On Monday 7 December, we gathered in the picturesque surroundings of Zion Church,to participate in the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The High School orchestra and choir led the music, while Dr David Adams played the ancient organ and we took it in turns to sing along and listen as carol after carol filled the beautiful, Victorian church, just a stone's throw from our own school gate. Of special note during the evening was a beautiful rendition of  'O Holy Night', which resounded to the rooftop and was as sublime as it was moving.  Each reader, singer, musician and usher was well-practised and the entire evening ran like clockwork, owing much to the tireless dedication of Mrs Hutchinson Edgar, Ms Bourke and Ms Rothwell. But the most memorable moment of all came when the lights dimmed and the old church momentarily dipped into darkness, but for the ripple of candlelight that flowed up the church, as candles touched together, and The High School choir sang 'Jesus Christ The Apple Tree'. And as we chatted with friends old and new and began to make our way back to The Reynolds Hall with its waiting festive fair, the orchestra burst into a lively rendition of 'Sleigh Ride', and it suddenly felt like Christmas was in the air.