Christmas Service from Norwich Cathedral

[roger]

This appears at HERE


NEWS
Stars set for televised services
RICHARD BALLS

24 November 2005 07:00

A special service at Norwich Cathedral to be shown on television on Christmas Eve will now feature 1980s' pop sensation Rick Astley.

The star turned classical singer will join tenor Jon Christos to replace Russell Watson at the service.

And the historic city landmark is to host another televised event involving peace campaigners such as veteran Bruce Kent.

The Christmas service, which is being filmed on Tuesday, will feature appearances by classical singers Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra as well as Mr Cristos and Mr Astley.

Music will feature the choirboys of Norwich Cathedral.

The service will be led by the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, and the Very Rev Graham Smith, Dean of Norwich.

The Peace Service will be held next Wednesday and is also being recorded for ITV1's Act of Worship programme.

The Dean said: "We are very thrilled that Granada has chosen Norwich for these two important services.

"Due to extra filming equipment being required we have not been able to fill the cathedral to capacity numbers. This has meant that sadly we could not accommodate everyone who wanted a ticket for the Christmas Eve recording.

"We hope that people will value the importance of the Peace Service, and tickets are still available for this."

Samantha Paul, producer of ITV1's Act of Worship, said: "We felt it was time to spotlight a different area of the country for these recordings and we chose Norwich as it has a beautiful cathedral."

Anyone wishing to book a ticket

for the Peace Service can contact Elly Metcalfe on 0161 827 2503 or call the ticket line on 0161 827 2218. Alternatively e-mail [e-mail]

[Richard]

Thank you for the information Roger!

I see the Christmas Eve service is being recorded on Tuesday 29th November, so now we know why Hayley's concert at Sheffield Cathedral was put back a day to Wednesday 30th November.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Richard]

Hello again everybody!

Here is an article in the Norfolk Eastern Daily Press.


Stars shine for Christmas at cathedral

30 November 2005 12:22

ITV1 filmed its Christmas Eve carol service at Norwich Cathedral last night. MARK NICHOLLS and LORNA MARSH went behind the scenes and joined the congregation.


It may have been a frosty late November night but inside Norwich Cathedral, for a few brief hours, it was Christmas Eve. Hundreds of people gathered for a star-spangled celebrity concert to be broadcast on December 24.

Rick Astley, Matthew Kelly, Carol Smillie, Katherine Jenkins, Martin Bell and Michael Brunson were among those who performed, gave readings and led prayers for the festive spectacular.

And the congregation gave equally rousing renditions of In the Bleak Midwinter, Once in Royal David's City and even While Shepherds Watched ... all for ITV.

The cathedral was wonderful; candles flickering on enormous holly crowns and a magnificent Christmas tree sprinkled with 1000 lights and gold and silver stars to create a truly Christmas atmosphere.

Yet this was television. The congregation were at once participants, an audience and even bit-part extras for a slick production as carols were recorded and re-recorded, addresses twice given and singers given a second chance to hit the right key.

Even the bishop, the Rt Rev Graham James had to await his cue as filming ran late and on into the night.

But ITV1 had assembled a diverse cast for the Christmas Eve broadcast ... and they couldn't have chosen a finer location.

Just hours earlier the cathedral had been buzzing with television crews making final preparations and checks, so that millions across the country could enjoy the event as much as those lucky enough to attend.

But as the opening strains of Silent Night, sung by 1980s' pop sensation Rick Astley, echoed around Norwich Cathedral a soothing calm descended along with an early hint of festive spirit.

Rising star Hayley Westenra, 18, admitted at rehearsals that she was tired from a tight schedule but excited about performing at the cathedral.

“I'm really looking forward to it. Christmas carols always put you in a good mood, particularly in this setting. I'm doing a tour of churches and cathedrals at the moment, but this is stunning. Coming from New Zealand you don't get to see historical places like this, it's lovely,” said Miss Westenra.

The Choirboys, Ben Inman and Patrick Aspbury, both 12, and 11-year-old CJ Porter-Thaw were also looking forward to the service, which took place the day after their debut album was released.

Patrick said: “It's really cool. We all like Christmas so this will be good.”

Producer Samantha Paul said: “I came down on Sunday but we had crews putting up the scaffolding and rigging for lighting from Wednesday.

“It has been hectic, but you would expect it to be. The setting is wonderful. It is just going to look glorious when it is shown.”

The Very Rev Graham Smith, Dean of the cathedral, said: “It's going to be a great moment not just for the cathedral but for the wider community of Norfolk.”

Also being televised by Granada for ITV1 is a peace service taking place at the cathedral tonight featuring veteran campaigner Bruce Kent.

Copyright © 2005 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

-------------------------------------------------

I corrected their spelling of Katherine Jenkins!

Richard

[postscript]

Thank you. Richard. for that update on Norwich and Christmas Eve's ITV transmission. Friends once lived in Norwich and i spent one Christmas with them. We went to the midnight service on an 'ordinary' winter's evening. We`came out with a light (half inch perhaps) smattering of snow, crisp and crunchy underfoot. [Just as Hayley likes it I believe?]. With the cathedral glass glowing colour, the Christmas decorations in the trees and the whole covered in white, it was absolutely gorgeous. The classic Christmas scene we usually only see on Christmas cards these days. But Norwich is a lovely cathedral anyway.
Peter

[Richard]

Hello again everybody!

According to the Christmas issue of Radio Times, the service from Norwich Cathedral will be transmitted on ITV1 on Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December 2005, from 11:25pm to 12:55am GMT.

Don't forget to set your video recorders! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard

[gareth]

ITV ehh?

Well, then I am counting on others to supply the digital version of this concert ....

Cheers,

Gerrit

P.S. The EDP news articles are featured on KJI ...

[Dave]

gareth said:

ITV ehh?

Well, then I am counting on others to supply the digital version of this concert ....
Cheers,
Gerrit

I think those of us who can, do... me included. For all of them - and not only for Hayley. Oh yes!

Dave

[Dave]

Hello everyone! I have just finished watching - and recording - the ITV Christmas Concert. As far as i noticed, the "star" performances broadcast were as follows:

Before Midnight
Rick Astley - Silent Night
Hayley and The Choirboys - Do You Hear What I Hear?
Katherine - A Welsh carol (I think!) with harp accompaniment. (I'm ashamed to admit I don't know its title!)
The Choirboys - Let There be Peace On Earth (?title?)

After Midnight
Hayley - Mary Did You Know
Jon Christos - Panis Angelicus
Katherine - O Come all You Faithful (joined by the congregation for the second half of it).

I thought Rick Astley was so-so, nothing special but OK.
Hayley and Katherine were very good and so were the Choirboys! Well I thought so, anyway! Jon Christos was very good, too.

I must say, regarding Katherine, I loved her performance of that Welsh song (if that's what it was!) - nice and gentle with just her and the harp. I much prefer Katherine when she sings like that (too infrequently for me!). Of course, Hayley sang like that, too, as she always does (but lets not start another debate about it! )

I now have to resume wrapping Christmas presents and I will be tied up for most of Christmas Day so, unfortunately, I may not be able to digitise any of this before Hayley's next apearance on the Welsh Channel later on Christmas Day. Then, Hayley's on again I think on Boxing Day (Oliver) so I'll have to do a LOT of catch-up after Christmas!!!

Gerrit, could you let me know what you'd like me to digitise for you, please?

Simon, will you be doing any of this?

Cheers, Dave

[gareth]

Hi Dave,

When it comes to coverage form ITV, I have some Katherine contacts - however, at Christmas time, I am not yet certain about the reliability of the Katherine supply line. This is the "First Noel" since I started KJI. So, if you can supply both Hayley and Katherine, that will be appreciated.

Gerrit

[Dave]

Hi Gerrit, I will be digitising from all these shows as soon as possible but there's a lot to do already (including Hayley on Aled's show on S4C on Christmas Day) and with more later today! I haven't been able to touch any of it yet - what a busy two days I've had!

Sometime in the next few days, i will get to work on it and I will certainly include Katherine (when on ITV, I know you get the BBC shows). I might even do Jon Christos too (Panis Angelicus), if anyone is interested.

Cheers, Dave

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas Eve service from Norwich Cathedral, and Hayley looked and sounded stunning. I noticed there was a very good shot of Jill singing in the congregation a few minutes before Hayley's solo. I believe it was during "Angels From The Realms Of Glory".

Happy New Year! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Richard

[roger]

Hi Richard,

I thought I spotted Jill too but I wasn't sure. Was she sitting immediately behind some of some of the celebrities?

Roger

[Richard]

Hello Roger!

I saw a very clear close-up shot of Jill for a few seconds, probably about seven or eight minutes before Hayley sang "Mary Did You Know?". I couldn't tell if anybody was sitting in front of her, but there were other people sitting to her side that I didn't recognise.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[gareth]

Hi Dave,

Take your time, and leave the Katherine ones till last - I do have contacts on the Katherine forum who have promised to supplu ITV material.

I'll have my recorder primed for the Oliver special too - so perhaps you can concentrate on the other material.

Gerrit

[Richard]

roger said:

I thought I spotted Jill too but I wasn't sure. Was she sitting immediately behind some of some of the celebrities?

Hello again Roger!

Looking at the video clip on the HWI main site, there is a shot of Jill during "Once In Royal David's City", and she is sitting behind Carol Smillie. It might also be her walking into the cathedral while the Bishop of Norwich is making his opening address, but it's only a back view.

Happy New Year,

Richard