Ceremonies of Carols
Con Brio Chorus, Con Brio Festival Orchestra, Sarah Armstrong (guest soprano), conducted by Dr. Chris Shepard
A Ceremony of Carols, Op 28, Benjamin Britten, arr. Harrison for SATB
With Mae Cook, Harp, and Sarah Armstrong, Soprano
Procession: Hodie Christus Natus Est, trad. Gregorian chant antiphon
Wolcum Yole, anon. 14th century
There is no Rose, anon. 14th century
That yongë child, anon. 14th century
Balulalow, Wedderburn (1561)
As Dew in Aprille, anon. 14th century
This little Babe, Southwell (1595)
Interlude
In Freezing Winter Night, Southwell (1595)
Spring Carol, Cornish (1523)
Deo Gracias, anon. 15th century
Recession: Hodie Christus Natus Est, trad. Gregorian chant antiphon
The Christmas Song, Wells &Tormé arr. Snyder & Higgins
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Pola & Wyle, arr. Rubino
Intermission
O Come, All Ye Faithful (with audience) trad. arr. Willcocks
Fum, Fum, Fum trad Catalonian, arr. Wilberg
Away in a Manger trad arr. Wilberg
A Christmas Symphony, Donald Fraser
with Sarah Armstrong, Soprano
SUITE ONE
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Once In Royal David’s City
Unto Us A Child Is Born
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Good Christian Men Rejoice
O Holy Night
SUITE TWO
The Holly And The Ivy
See Amid The Winter Snow
I Saw Three Ships
This Christmastide (Jessye’s Carol)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (with audience) Mendelssohn, words by Wesley, arr. Willcocks
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
Composed in 1942 during his return voyage from the United States to England, Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28, stands as one of the most beloved choral works of the twentieth century. Originally written for treble voices and harp, Con Brio presents this later SATB version dating from 1955. The piece draws on a collection of macaronic traditional Latin, and English texts from the 15th and 16th centuries, that Britten encountered during his journey, shaping them into a radiant sequence that reflects both the mystery and joy of the Christmas story.
Rather than presenting a single narrative, Britten organizes the work as a series of contrasting movements, framed by the plainsong processional and recessional “Hodie Christus natus est.” Within this structure, he explores a wide range of moods—from the exuberant energy of “This Little Babe” to the serene stillness of “There Is no Rose,” and the contemplative beauty of the harp interlude. The interplay between voices and harp creates a distinctive, shimmering sound world that evokes both ancient tradition and modern clarity.
A Ceremony of Carols reveals Britten’s extraordinary sensitivity to the text, combining rhythmic vitality, lyrical grace, and expressive depth. The result is a work that captures the wonder of the Nativity while remaining timeless in its emotional appeal, continuing to enchant performers and audiences alike.
Concerts will be held at the Morgan School, 71 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT 06413, Saturday December 12 and Sunday December 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Morgan School is a wonderful modern facility with a large comfortable auditioriun and extensive parkining. The school is on CT Route 81 just north of I-95 exit 63, past the Clinton Outlets. Click on the Google map Link to Google Maps
Below are the directions to the school and also a special note about where to park because the main entrance to the school is actually at the back. The doors at the front lead to the offices only and are not on the same level as the theater entrance. It is also important to note that the school has two driveways and that audience members should use the north entrance since that leads to the parking lots that are by the rear doors to the school.
Directions to The Morgan School
(from I-95 going South)
• Get off exit 63.
• There is a stop-light at the end of the exit, that is Rte. 81.
• Take a left onto Rte. 81N.
• Go through two traffic lights.
• After the second stop-light, the entrance (the second driveway) to The Morgan School will be on your right.
(from I-95 going North)
• Get off exit 63.
• At the first stop-light turn left.
• At the second stop-light turn left again onto Rte. 81 N.
• You will go through three stop-lights and the entrance (the second driveway) to The Morgan School will be on your right.
Please use the North Entrance only:
• Turn right into the North Entrance, the second driveway into the school campus.
• Follow the entrance road to the main parking area.
• The auditorium entrance is clearly marked and is a short walk from the parking lot.
From Route 81S (Killingworth/Haddam)
If you are traveling south on Route 81 (Killingworth Turnpike) toward Clinton,
• Continue through the Route 81/Route 80 intersection in Killingworth.
• Remain on Route 81 South for approximately 4 miles.
• The Morgan School will be on your left at 71 Killingworth Turnpike
Please use the North Entrance only:
• Turn left into the North Entrance, which is the first driveway as you approach the school from the north.
• Follow the entrance road to the main parking area.
• The auditorium entrance is clearly marked and is a short walk from the parking lot.
From Route 1 (traveling north on Route 81)
If you are traveling north on Route 81 (Killingworth Turnpike) from Route 1 in Clinton, continue approximately 1 mile. The Morgan School at 71 Killingworth Turnpike will be on your right.
Please use the North Entrance:
• Continue past the South Entrance (the first school driveway).
• Turn right into the North Entrance, the second driveway into the school campus.
• Follow the entrance road to the main parking area.
• The auditorium entrance is clearly marked and is a short walk from the parking lot.
Con Brio and the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra
Con Brio will join the WSO as guest chorus for WSO’s annual Christmas Concert on December 20, 2026 at 2:00PM, at Choate Rosemary Hall, 333 Christian Street, Wallingford, CT 06492
A Christmas Symphony, Donald Fraser
with Sarah Armstrong, Soprano
SUITE ONE
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Once In Royal David’s City
Unto Us A Child Is Born
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Good Christian Men Rejoice
O Holy Night
SUITE TWO
The Holly And The Ivy
See Amid The Winter Snow
I Saw Three Ships
This Christmastide (Jessye’s Carol)
Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, words and music, Rutter
Nativity Carol, words and music, Rutter
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (with audience) Mendelssohn, words by Wesley, arr. Willcocks
Click here for Tickets