A choir of staff and Fellows sang in public for the first time at a Christmas carol service in Chapel earlier today.

The 15-person choir comprises Fellows, and staff from across different departments including Maintenance, the Library, the Boat House and Finance. It is led by Development Director, Alexandra Rowlands, a former organ scholar at Christ’s.

She said:

“It’s been such a joy to bring together colleagues, who, in the rush of term-time, rarely get chance to meet.

Singing together, in the first choir of its kind for a while at Christ’s, has given as all a much-needed moment of calm in the day, and we’ve had fun too!”

A group of people singing in Chapel with a pianist and piano in the foreground
The choir rehearsing before the service © Christ's College Cambridge

The choir has practiced regularly for several weeks and performed ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ arranged by Peter Hunt, ‘O Tannenbaum’ and ‘Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer’, both arranged by Paul Ayres.

Manav Paul, alumnus, accompanied the choir.

Harrison Kemp-Reynolds, carpenter and joiner, said:

“I’ve never sung in a Choir before and I thought why not? It’s been fun!”

Dr Jo Bellis, Fellow in English said:

“How lovely for everyone with different musical backgrounds to come together in just one term and sing in four-part harmony.”

If you are a member of College and would like to join the Staff and Fellows’ choir, please contact Alexandra – more appearances are planned!