Dr Christopher Page has composed a setting of The Sidney Carol by Clive Wilmer, Fellow in English. The work, for tenor soloist and SATB choir, formed part of the Christmas Carol Service.
With snow on the ground, a sense of bleak midwinter, and Michaelmas term drawing to a close, the themes of the poem, and the plangent setting, provided a timely reminder of both the rhythms of the College year and the message of Advent leading to Christmas. The piece will surely become a regular part of Sidney's Christmas services. You can download the score and read the words of The Sidney Carol.
The setting is dedicated to Eric Whitacre, who is soon to leave Sidney after a term as Visiting Fellow and Composer in Residence. Eric has made a significant contribution to the musical life of Sidney and Cambridge in the short time that he has been here. We are particularly grateful to him for his new setting of the College Grace, Oculi Omnium, and for the work that he has done with our Choir.
This is an archived news story, first posted in 2010.
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