Music Report Carols around the Tree
In December we held our annual family-friendly programme of music and readings around the Christmas tree in Warburton Hall. Musical entertainment was provided by Cavendish Chorale and alumna Noémie Johns (Medical & Veterinary Sciences, 2013). The audience joined in with renditions of Ding Dong Merrily on High, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Little Donkey and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. We could enjoy a special performance of Jingle Bells led by our younger guests.
Cavendish Chorale 2019/2020
Festive readings were provided Dr Henriette Hendriks, Vice-President, Lauren Magilton (English, 2012), Dr Penny Granger (English, 1998), Kate McCombe (History, 2011), Karen Stephenson (English, 1995), Professor Jill Jameson (English, 1980). Another very special guest was, of course, Santa Claus. The Catering Team and our Development Office supported the event.
By Alice Dearle (PhD Candidate in Nanoscience)
Cavendish Chorale is a friendly non-auditioned choir for upper voices that welcomes students from all colleges, with the majority belonging to Lucy Cavendish.
A particular favourite was a collection of folk songs arranged by our director Chloë Allison including Loch Lomond and O’ Shenandoah.
This year we undertook a significant drive for new recruits from Lucy Cavendish and beyond, as sadly (for us) many of our most consistent members from the previous years had happily graduated and moved on to new pastures. We were delighted that our efforts were rewarded and the choir this year had a number of approximately 15, allowing us to produce a lovely sound in the music pavilion.
Regrettably, Cambridge life as we knew it came to an abrupt end before Easter term due to the ongoing global pandemic. We were unable to meet and sing over Easter term, which was due to be Chloë’s last term with Cavendish Chorale. She has directed the choir since 2016 and it is fiercely clear that working with a non-auditioning choir (open to all regardless of experience) takes a very special talent. We are so lucky to have had Chloë, she is endlessly patient, hugely skilled and very good fun. We look forward to seeing what she does next! Looking to the future, we hope that Cavendish Chorale can once again take place and find a new director as soon as it is safe and enjoyable to do so.
In Michaelmas, our repertoire always looks towards the festive season and includes secular and sacred pieces. This year the favourites included Nativity Carol and Deck the Halls. It was lovely to share our work with friends and family at our own concert, and we also very much enjoyed leading Carols Around the Tree for the college on a brisk winter afternoon. During Lent term, free from festive obligations we enjoyed preparing a diverse repertoire for our Spring Concert. We enjoyed a lovely description of the English countryside within Linden Lea, and expanded our horizons to include body percussion to accompany White Winter Hymnal.
“I look forward to singing with Cavendish Chorale every week of term time! It allows me to completely relax and not think about work for a couple of hours every week and has definitely been one of my most memorable experiences of studying at Cambridge within Lucy Cavendish College. The girls are all so much fun and we have a great time singing together” – Lizzie Good ANNUAL REVIEW 2019/2020
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