For many of us, the Advent season is marked by an element of reflection and waiting, though this can be difficult to find amid the busyness of London in December. Music and words for Advent allow us to sink back from the tumult and into this subliminal space of waiting and anticipation. The words of the ‘O Antiphons’ and their settings used in the eight days before Christmas have recently felt close to me for providing space in the lead up. James MacMillan’s iconic setting of ‘O Radiant Dawn’ is a personal favourite, though so is the plainchant, sung especially beautifully on Advent Live 2 from Andrew Nethsingha and St John’s College, Cambridge.

But when so much music, planning and stress go into rehearsing and performing concerts, how do we claim back the magic of Christmas when the season truly arrives? For me, finding moments and days of solitude have become an important part of the Christmas season. The past few years I’ve spent Christmas in rural Scotland where it can be difficult to hear live choral music. Recordings have been an anchor in this time, and I am really thrilled with the selection that Stephen Pritchard has put together in the Christmas roundup on page 68, which I hope will give many options for those of us that rely on recordings across the festive period.

At the time of going to press with this issue Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue is weeks away from a decision being taken on the future of the choir school. It may be that by the time you’re reading this that the outcome is known. In all the financial planning and uncertainty, it’s clear that the artistic vision of the choir is a special one which needs preserving.

December also marks a year since I became editor of Choir & Organ. It’s a move that has given me immense joy throughout the year, from meeting our New Music composers, collaborating with contributing editor Matthew Power and getting to know our partners at the Cathedral Music Trust. Other special moments have included a trip to Worcester’s Three Choirs Festival in the summer and the recent trip to New York City to meet Jeremy Filsell for this issue’s cover story.

I am very excited about what lies ahead for the magazine and introducing our next New Music partner choir in the New Year. I wish you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas wherever you are and thank you for a very happy year at the magazine.

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Choir & Organ. Never miss an issue – subscribe today