November was packed with musical events, and although I had no actual Christmas concerts in December there was nevertheless more other seasonal performances than I usually give.
Actually, this started well back in November with the opening of Bath’s Christmas market; this year was rather special as it was claimed to be the 25th anniversary of the market. Although I’m not really sure on what basis, as the first market was 24 years ago, in 2001; nor can it be said to be the 25th time the market has been held as there was no market in the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 (in the latter case getting security staff was said to be the problem). We began by singing a few carols/hymns standing at the open west door of the Abbey (the weather was too poor to go outside), before joining stallholders inside the Abbey for a short ceremony combining sacred and secular as we heard about how the market came to be started.
A few days later Advent began and we sang the Abbey’s morning service. There was a piece new to me (and only a decade old in any case): Alan Bullard’s And art thou come with us to dwell which incorporates the Veni Emmanuel melody.
Christ Church’s Advent service was as usual a week later. This brought a personal premiere: Kerensa Brigg’s A tender shoot (also to be sung by the Abbey Chamber Choir this Advent). Our most substantial pieces were Alec Roth’s Unborn and Anthony Piccolo’s I look from afar.