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Christmas at Malmesbury Abbey
A guide to Abbey carol services, concerts and community events in November & December 2016 Â
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WORLD PREMIERE Abbey Vicar, Neill Archer, introduces Advent & Christmas 2016 at Malmesbury Abbey
We tried something new at the Abbey last year. Rather than cram 500 people into one packed Advent Carol Service in November and one Nine Lessons & Carols in December, we printed off free tickets and had two identical services at both Advent and Christmas. It worked well, we filled all four services, and most people had seats.
guarantee that or the service would last all night;) and anthems of beauty and mystery sung by Malmesbury Abbey Choir.
So the same doubling up is happening again this year. Two identical Advent Carols Services, beginning in silence and darkness. Then a single candle lit, and from that single flame the entire Abbey is flooded with a light signifying the unchanging Advent hope, that to the darkness of the world the light of Christ will come. Favourite Advent carols, such as O come, O come Emmanuel and Lo He comes with clouds descending, ancient readings from the prophet Isaiah and the New Testament, and beautiful anthems.
And this year, to acknowledge that these services are so significant for both the Abbey and our community, we have commissioned three new pieces from the New York based composer Nico Muhly (see right). The three Malmesbury Motets are settings of Latin texts from Genesis, Isaiah & John’s Gospel for choir and Viola da Gamba, played at our premieres by Liam Byrne.
And then later in December two Nine Lessons & Carols. Stories of angels, magi, and shepherds; all your favourite Christmas carols (actually I can’t quite
So two things: If you haven’t seen the Abbey lit by 400 candles, then this is really something you should be a part of. Free tickets are available now.
More information at: malmesburyabbey.com nicomuhly.com en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nico_Muhly liambyrne.net
York based Nico New Muhly’s Malmesbury Motets world premiere at the Abbey this Advent & Christmas.
Enquiries 01666 826666 Box Office 01666 824339 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey
Abbey Youth & Children’s Ministries
Advent Carols by Candlelight
Music by Bach, Byrd, Ešenvalds, Tallis & Muhly Saturday 26th & Sunday 27h November at 6.30pm. Free tickets available.
THE PUPPET NATIVITY Sunday December 18th at 3pm
Fantastic fun! Christmas songs! And loads of surprises as Camel and his puppet friends come to town, sing songs and tell us about the most fabulous and greatest story ever told. Ever! 45 minutes of Christmas fun for younger children and their families. Come and join us! Admission Free
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THE MALMESBURY NATIVITY December 23rd at 7pm, Christmas Eve at 2pm, 4pm & 6pm
For the last four years thousands have packed the Abbey for The Malmesbury Nativity, enjoying the amazing work of our four young professional actors from Wiltshire and the passion and exuberant joy of Christmas carols reinvented and played by a live band. At the centre of each year’s Nativity are four local historic figures, Hannah Twynnoy, Aldhelm, Eilmer and William of Malmesbury, joining forces to tell the story of the Nativity to the people of Malmesbury. This is all wrapped up in the story of another contemporary Malmesbury family. This year Grandad
is trying to find a bit of peace and quiet to collect his thoughts before asking Elsie the big question on Christmas Eve. But he forgets that the bench outside the Abbey can be a pretty busy place too… Great fun for all ages, with the Abbey Kitchen open for nibbles, mulled wine and cider. Tickets Adults £2.50, Children Free N.B. Christmas Eve tickets sell out quickly
Malmesbury Abbey Choir
The Nativity Band
MIDNIGHT COMMUNION
FAMILY CELEBRATION & CHAMPAGNE
Christmas Eve from 11.15pm
Christmas Day at 11am
It’s Christmas Eve, the presents are wrapped, well some at least, the veggies are prepared, the port is being tested thoroughly, and the turkey is looking nervous; rightly so. And, in an ideal world, snow lightly covers the streets of Malmesbury as you walk up the hill to the Midnight Communion. Carols begin at 11.15pm, then at 11.30pm The Mass of the Nativity of Christ begins, otherwise known as Christmas. This is actually it. Arrive early to get a seat in a packed and very happy Abbey. The service ends about 12.30pm.
Not long after we’ve locked up after the Midnight Communion, the Abbey opens up again for a simple service of Holy Communion at 9am.
Admission Free
Admission Free
But then at 11am things get a little noisier as people arrive from across Wiltshire for a joyous celebration of Christmas for all generations, with Christmas Carols led by our Nativity Band. Arrive early and bring your presents, musical ties, Christmas jumpers and a bottle of champagne, as we all stay for a celebration after the service.
NINE LESSONS & CAROLS Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December 2016 at 6.30pm Malmesbury Abbey Choir Music by Byrd, Ord, Victoria, Chesnokov, Sweelinck, Dove and Nico Muhly’s Malmesbury Motets (2016) Free Tickets available in Advance (Recommended)
ABBEY AD VENT & CH RISTMAS D IARY 20 16 Sat 26th Nov Sun 27th Nov
Fri 2nd Dec Sat 3rd Dec Sun 4th Dec
Thu 8th Dec Sat 10th Dec Sun 11th Dec
Wed 14th Dec Sat 17th Dec Sun 18th Dec
Fri 23rd Dec
6.30pm Advent Carols by Candlelight 1 ADVENT SUNDAY 9am & 10.30am Advent Holy Communion 4pm All-age Advent Service 6.30pm Advent Carols by Candlelight 2 7pm Youth Action Wiltshire Carol Service 7.30pm Malmesbury Community Choir Christmas Concert ADVENT II 9am & 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church 10am Malmesbury CE Primary School Christmas Service 7.30pm Malmesbury Singers Christmas Concert ADVENT III 9am & 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church 7.30pm Malmesbury School Carol Service 6.30pm Nine Lessons & Carols by Candlelight 1 ADVENT IV 9am & 10.30am Holy Communion 3pm The Puppet Nativity for younger children 6.30pm Nine Lessons & Carols by Candlelight 2 7pm The Malmesbury Nativity
Thurs 24th Dec
CHRISTMAS EVE 2pm, 4pm & 6pm The Malmesbury Nativity 11.30pm Midnight Communion (Carols from 11.15pm)
Fri 25th Dec
CHRISTMAS DAY 9am Holy Communion 11am Family Celebration 12 noon Champagne (bring a bottle)