Following their successful Praetorius tour in 2022, Gabrieli Roar presents A Grand Georgian Christmas. Led by Gabrieli Artistic Director Paul McCreesh, over 4,000 late-primary and secondary students will join Gabrieli’s world-class musicians across eleven performances in regional cathedrals around the UK, from Cumbria to Cornwall.

The programme is a festive exploration of English music for parish churches during the Georgian period (c. 1740-1850), a tradition sometimes referred to as ‘Psalmody’ or ‘Gallery Music’. It offers the perfect platform to encourage young singers to connect with choral and classical music, as well as with heritage culture.

A Grand Georgian Christmas will feature songs, carols, and anthems by composers ranging from Handel and Haydn to lesser-known figures. The programme includes pieces such as Remember, O thou man; Veni, veni emmanuel; The people that walked in darkness; Lo! He comes with clouds descending; As shepherds watched their fleecy care; Adeste fideles; Hush my dear, lie still and slumber; and Hark! The herald angels sing (in a version probably unknown to many!).

Gabrieli singers will lead the choirs, and the band will comprise strings, flutes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, drums, organ, harpsichord, ophicleide, and (how could we not?) two very special serpents.