The Senior School Christmas concerts wrapped up an Autumn Term packed with wonderful musical events.

The Christmas programme began on 5th December when the Senior Choir took part in the St Ann’s Hospice Tree of Lights service at Manchester Cathedral; their repertoire included a moving rendition of John Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You. The following day the choir assembled early for the traditional Carol Service in St Ann’s Church in the city centre to sing a-capella in the biting cold to hundreds of market shoppers in the Square outside. The girls were joined by Ms Fiona Clucas and by the School’s former pupil and new governor, acclaimed singer and composer, Sasha Johnson Manning. 

Click here to see a picture gallery of the Senior Christmas Music

On Thursday 9th December the Rotarians’ Christmas Party took place in the Arts Centre with a selection of sing-along ‘golden oldies’ and a programme of Christmas solo and ensemble vocal and instrumental music provided by Senior and Sixth Form girls. This party for elderly people has been provided by the School for many years. The Withington teaching staff take over the School’s kitchens to make the party teas for the pensioners. Each pensioner also receives a gift very kindly donated by Withington parents and pupils.

On 14th December a 30-strong Withington choir drawn from the Lower School and Senior Chamber Choirs went with Ms Clucas to the Bridgtewater Hall to sing with international recording star Hayley Westenra at her Christmas Wishes concert there.

The Senior School Christmas Concert on 15th December featured a full programme of solo and ensemble vocal and instrumental performances including the debut of the new harp ensemble. In what is now a Withington tradition, the entire Company and audience belted out a rendition (with actions!) of The Twelve Days of Christmas – egged on by members of the Sixth Form in the guise of dancing Christmas trees. The programme also included a large repertoire of Christmas music from the Senior and Middle School Orchestras; a performance by the Thursday Singers, made up of Sixth Formers from WGS, MHSG and MGS; the examination compositions of our GSCE Music candidates played by a string quartet from the Royal Northern College of Music and the Senior Choir.