Borehamwood Brass players join choirs and orchestra for Christmas carol service held by Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School

An orchestra, two choirs and a brass ensemble filled the chancel of Barnet parish church for the Christmas carol service held by Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School.

Father Sam Rossiter, team vicar of St John the Baptist, thanked the school’s musicians and choristers for a “magnificent evening” of music.

He said Barnet was blessed by the musicality of QE Girls’, and their service of Nine Lessons and Carols was a reminder of the “power of music to bring joy to everyone.”

Rehearsals for the service by the school and chamber choirs began in September and for the first time four members of Borehamwood Brass joined the orchestra.

This year’s service was also the first to be conducted by QE Girls’ recently-appointed director of music, Cosima Rodriguez-Broadbent – see above, from left to right, with Simon Mansell (tuba) and Nathan Mansell (trombone).

They were supported by two trumpeters, Isaac Holt and Stone Tung. A high spot for the brass section was when they accompanied the choirs on their rendition of Ding Dong Merrily on High.  

 Ms Rodriguez-Broadbent said the challenge of a service like Nine Lessons and Carols was that it was a packed programme of readings and carols that needed to be properly rehearsed.

Father Sam (far right) congratulated Cosima on the arrangement she had chosen for The Holly and the Ivy.

“Your version really enthused me,” he said.

See above, from left to right, music teacher Madeleine Tabacchiera, Cosima Rodriguez-Broadbent, Jonathan Gregory (organist) and Father Sam Rossiter.

Guests attending the service included the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Danny Rich.