A joyful noise - finally!

After not being able to hold one last year due to the pandemic, the not one but two Nine Lessons and Carols services we held last weekend were especially joyful.

Members of the congregation and other volunteers formed a choir which rehearsed for weeks under the excellent direction of Andrew Noble and with the expert accompaniment of Adina Cogarceanu. Songs included classic carols such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” a reinterpreted version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Silent Night” sung in German, English, and French. While soloists worked on their solos, sopranos rehearsed hitting the high notes on their descants, altos learned their parts (including not getting tripped up by their neighbors, the sopranos), tenors and basses aimed at producing an effect greater than their actual number. Jokes and laughter made time fly at every rehearsal.

It all came together on Sunday for the two services held under the safest possible circumstances (choir members took a covid test that morning and wore masks like the rest of the congregation when not singing; people were admitted with proof of vaccination or a negative covid test). The choir was a little nervous but excited upon hearing that a film crew from the Antena 3 news station would be coming to the second service. Other special guests included more young children than we’ve seen in a while at the church and many first time visitors. The atmosphere of joy and gratitude spilled over into a time of socializing after the services with mulled wine and minced pies.

Here are some scenes in the report by Antena 3 that are already making us nostalgic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16gDDllZAo0. Come join us and the choir for our Christmas Eve service at 6pm (register by emailing anglicanbucharest@gmail.com)!