Birmingham Bach Choir get into the Christmas spirit on Sunday 15 December 2024 with their annual Nine Lessons and Carols.

The free entry traditional service combines carols with readings and this year takes place at St. Alban's Church, Birmingham, from 3.30pm.

Among the songs on the programme are such seasonal favourites as O Come All ye faithful, Ding Dong Merrily On High and Hark The Herald Angels Sing.

Several less familiar tunes will also make an appearance, including John Rutter's gentle Mary's Lullaby, 17th century composer Richard Dering's stirring Quem vidistis, pastores? (Who have you seen, shepherds?), and John Gardner’s arrangement of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.

With visitors encouraged to join in for the well-known carols, it’s an afternoon event that evokes the true spirit of Christmas, as well as offering attendees a chance to hear one of the region’s most lauded choirs.

An architectural and cultural gem situated in Highgate, close to Birmingham city centre, St. Alban’s Church was opened in 1881 to cater for the city’s rapidly expanding inner city population. An impressive Grade II* listed Gothic Revival church, it boasts many fine features, including stunning ornamental screens by Kate and Myra Bunce - artist siblings strongly associated with the Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite movements - and stained glass windows by Morris and Co and John Hardman and Co.

Birmingham Bach Choir: Nine Lessons And Carols, with organist Paul Carr, takes place on Sunday 15 December 2024 at St. Alban’s Church, Conybere Street, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0YH from 3.30pm-5pm. Admission is free (with a collection). No tickets, or prior booking, required. For more information, see: birmingham.bachchoir.com