The festive season is marked by a number of events at the college and our numerous talented musicians and singers, under the direction of Head of Music David Lloyd-Mostyn, are very much to the fore. First up was the Hulme Winter Festival, a community event which the college is delighted to support. The grand Christmas Lights Switch-On took place at Hulme Park, with Loreto’s pop choir singing ‘Mary Did You Know’ and Justin Bieber’s ‘Mistletoe,’ and the brass ensemble providing the accompaniment for the traditional favourites ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ everyone rewarded with a very welcome gift of chocolate for their efforts.

The atrium at Manchester Children’s Hospital was the venue for the Chamber Choir, with soloists Georgia Goldsbrough and Eve Reynolds, who performed a selection of well-known carols, in addition to ‘Feliz Navidad,’ and ‘Personent Hodie,’ composed by student Hannah Beech.

Loreto is proud of its association with the Church of the Holy Name, on Oxford Road, and the splendid building was once again the location for our Christmas Carol Service. It was marvellous to see the pews packed with parents, staff, students and members of the wider Loreto family. Candlelight illuminated the beautiful church as the plaintive strains of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, featuring soloist Georgia Goldsbrough, opened proceedings. Dewi Tudor Jones’ String Ensemble delivered a sumptuous version of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ and a jaunty ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,’ before the Wind Ensemble, directed by Jennifer Dyson, entertained the congregation with the modern favourite ‘Nightmare Before Christmas.’ The Chamber Choir took full advantage of the acoustics offered by the magnificent old building, enhancing the magical occasion further by their performance of ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘Personent Hodie.’ Following the success of lasts year’s barbershop quartet, this year’s novelty item was the bizarre but exciting Boomwhacker Ensemble, with their unique take on ‘Carol of the Bells.’

The programme was interspersed with congregational carols and traditional readings, before the Pop Choir, augmented by the musicians and singers, brought the evening to a fitting close as they reprised the Hulme Winter Festival performance and added Ariane Grande’s ‘Santa Tell Me.’