We invite you to join us in singing the carols shown in bold below.
And the Glory Handel, from The MessiahO Come All Ye Faithful Wade arr. Willcocks
O Little Town of Bethlehem English trad. arr. Armstrong
Infant Holy Polish trad. arr. Willcocks
Entre le boeuf French trad. arr. Ayres
The Three Kings Cornelius arr. Atkins
Away in a Manger Kirkpatrick arr. Willcocks
Mary’s Lullaby Rutter
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion Handel, from The Messiah
Twelve Days of Christmas English trad.
Jingle Bells Pierpoint arr. Willcocks
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen English trad. arr. Willcocks
Deck the Hall Welsh trad. arr. Willcocks
Glory to God Handel, from The Messiah
Hark the Herald Mendelssohn, V3 arr. Willcocks
We Wish You a Merry Christmas English trad. arr. Warrell
Retiring Collection
This afternoon’s retiring collection this afternoon will be split between Christ Church's nominated charity, Centrepoint, and East London Chorus.
We have been making music for over 50 years, and your support today will help us continue to make music and give concerts into 2026 and beyond. Please give generously!
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
God of God, light of light, lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God, begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born that happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.
God rest you Merry, Gentlemen
God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly father a blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Deck the Hall
Deck the hall with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel, fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Christmas carol, fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the flowing bowl before us, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure, fa la la, la la la, la la la.
While I sing of beauty’s treasure, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Laughing, quaffing all together, fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather, fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies,
With th’ angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come offspring of a virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, ris’n with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King!
Jessica Norton is a dynamic choral practitioner, vocal coach, and Vocal Health First Aider, dedicated to inspiring and developing singers of all levels. She is the Musical Director of East London Chorus and Polymnia Chamber Choir, as well as Music Leader of the Blackheath Halls Youth Choir. She also serves as Vocal Coach for the CBSO Youth and Children’s Choruses and Section Coach for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. Her extensive choral experience includes work with Henley Youth Choir, London Concord Singers. London Orpheus Choir, Pegasus Choir, London Symphony Chorus, and Milton Keynes Chorale.
A classically trained soprano with a Diploma in Singing Performance from ABRSM, Jessica has performed as a soloist with ensembles such as the London Symphony Chorus, Ealing Common Choir, and Harwich and Dovercourt Choral Society. She has been a featured soprano in Wanstead’s annual opera gala, Glamour on the Green, and has appeared in multiple BBC Proms, including The Dream of Gerontius under Sir Simon Rattle. Her vocal versatility has also led to performances at PHAB’s Christmas Fundraising Events, ITV’s The Halcyon, and a viral YouTube collaboration with Brendan Kavanagh, which has amassed over 8.3 million views.
As a sought-after vocal coach, Jessica teaches privately and for institutions such as Music in Offices. She leads vocal workshops for schools, choirs, and corporate events, working with organisations like Haygarth Marketing Agency and the Nous Group. Passionate about vocal health and choral excellence, she regularly runs Come and Sing Days and Vocal Training Days for choirs throughout the year, helping singers refine their technique and build confidence.
Noted for “spectacular, sensitive and vivid accompaniment” (The Latest) and a “superbly voiced instrumental partnership of his singer” (Sussex Express), George Ireland enjoys a thriving career, equally in demand in recital, opera and choral music. He has recently worked with the youth companies of the Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne, as well as Grange Park Opera, Waterperry Opera Festival and West Green House Opera.
He is the winner of the 2024 New Voices Competition at the Northern Aldeburgh Festival with Mezzo-Soprano Judith Lebreuilly, adjudicated by Sir John Tomlinson, Edward Gardner and Sholto Kynoch, and with Mezzo-Soprano Rebecca Leggett won the 2022 London Song Festival Masterclass and British Art Song Competition with Sir Thomas Allen. He accompanied Soprano Oksana Lepska’s winning recitals at the 2022 National Mozart Competition in London, and the Kathleen Ferrier Award-winning recitals of Countertenor Hugh Cutting and Soprano Jessica Cale in 2021.
Sandra Andrews, Alison Chubb, Jennifer Griffiths, Viv Lennadd, Abi Perryman, Aleksandra Povazhnaia, Rosie Sotillo, Jutta Teigeler, Jessica Wright
Alto
Olivia Buckley, Sue Davis, Judith Jackson, Lesley Jones, Rosemary Lucas, Sarah Norton, Stephanie Shaw, Danielle Young
Tenor
Ruth Clifford, William Dewar, John Garlick, Andy Swordy, Jezz Tennant
Bass
Edward Cieslik, Jim Cohen, James Dodd, Nico Hovell
List of singers correct at time of going to press.
Hear Us
Haydn and Beethoven
Saturday 28 March 2026, 6.30 pm
St Mary’s Parish Church Woodford
We rehearse at Chobham Academy, Stratford E20 1BD on Tuesday evenings. We hold open rehearsals at the start of each term so that you can try us out before joining us. If you would like to attend an open rehearsal, please contact our membership secretary, Rosemary Lucas, at membership@eastlondonchorus.org.uk
After that, if you'd like to join us, recruitment is by a simple audition with our Musical Director, Jessica Norton.
If you have enjoyed our music tonight, please consider supporting East London Chorus throughout the year. We do not receive any public funding, and our supporters’ generosity is vital to our current activity and future development. Here are three simple ways you can help:
Please donate to us through JustGiving via the link below:
Easyfundraising
Whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for East London Chorus with easyfundraising. It won’t cost you a penny extra and registration takes just 3 minutes.
Sign up by 29th November and ELC gets an extra bonus.
- 10–29 new supporters = £15 bonus
- 30-49 new supporters = £30 bonus
- 50-100 new supporters = £50 bonus
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s FREE. Just sign up here
Here’s how it works: Every time you shop online whether it’s for groceries, gifts, clothes, or even booking a holiday 8,000+ retailers like Tesco, M&S, John Lewis, eBay, B&Q, Booking.com and many more will donate to us for FREE through easyfundraising!
If you are going to shop online, please use easyfundraising to make your purchase.
We run a fundraising lottery which anyone can join. The lottery offers 41 prizes each year and is a fantastic and fun way of supporting East London Chorus. £1/month will buy you 1 share in the East London Chorus lottery. Just 4 shares – not even the cost of one cup of coffee per week – would give you 48 chances of winning and make £24 a year for the choir. Half the proceeds go towards the choir's work and the rest is used on prizes. Each share costs £1 and there's an upper limit of 30 shares per person. For more details - please visit this link on our website. We are registered with the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Prizes
- 3 cash prizes every month
- 2 half-yearly cash prizes, one in March and another 2 in September
- top annual prize drawn in March, currently worth around £100
Lottery target
We are aiming to increase our lottery membership to 180 shares, raising our total prize money to £1,080 each year with a top annual prize of around £225.
How to Join
- Just set up a standing order for a minimum £1 share per month.
- Download the lottery application form here and return the completed form to lottery@eastlondonchorus.org.uk
Thank you - your support will make a substantial difference.
