Choir Of Chichester Cathedral & The Band Of HM Royal Marines – A Celebration Of Christmas

Choir Of Chichester Cathedral & The Band Of HM Royal Marines – A Celebration Of Christmas

A festive collection of traditional carols, seasonal favourites and Christmas concert music, bringing together the distinguished choral tradition of Chichester Cathedral with the full, celebratory sound of The Band of HM Royal Marines.

Released in 1987 on Bandleader Records, A Celebration Of Christmas combines the rich harmonies of English cathedral choral singing with the distinctive brass and wind instrumentation of a military band. The result is a varied Christmas programme that moves between the reverent beauty of traditional carols, familiar seasonal melodies and more light-hearted festive arrangements.

The Choir of Chichester Cathedral represents one of the great traditions of English cathedral music, with its roots in the daily liturgical life of the cathedral. Its contribution brings a sense of warmth, clarity and traditional choral character to the collection, while the Band of HM Royal Marines adds a contrasting instrumental dimension, drawing on Britain's long-established military music heritage.

The programme includes much-loved Christmas standards such as 'Joy To The World', 'Silent Night' and 'Love Came Down At Christmas', alongside traditional carols including 'Joseph Dearest', 'I Come From Highest Heaven' and 'Rise Up Shepherd'. There is also a more playful side to the selection, with 'Sleigh Ride', 'Troika' and the medley 'A Yuletide Souffle', which brings together familiar seasonal favourites including 'White Christmas', 'Good King Wenceslas' and 'Deck The Hall'.

This combination of traditional sacred music, familiar Christmas songs and lively instrumental selections gives the album a distinctly British Christmas concert atmosphere. It will appeal to listeners who enjoy cathedral choirs, brass and military band recordings, traditional carols and vintage Christmas music.

An enjoyable seasonal release for fans of English choral music, Royal Marines band recordings and collectors of Christmas albums from the 1980s.

Tracklist

1. Joy To The World

2. The Virgin Mary

3. The Gift Carol

4. How Far Is It To Bethlehem

5. Sleigh Ride

6. A Child Is Born

7. Make We Merry On This Fest

8. A Yuletide Souffle- Whistle While You Work, Deck The Hall, Good King Wenceslas, White Christmas, Ding Dong Merrily On High

9. Our Joyfulst Feast

10. Love Came Down At Christmas

11. I Come From Highest Heaven

12. Troika

13. Joseph Dearest

14. Rise Up Shepherd

15. Silent Night