Chamber Choir sings at ‘Lights of Love’ Service
On Friday 11 November, the RGS Worcester Chamber Choir once again had the privilege of singing at Worcester Cathedral for the St Richard’s Hospice ‘Lights of Love’ Service. This annual service of reflection and thanksgiving for those who have stayed at the hospice over the past year is always a special occasion for all who attend.
Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards (Vice-Dean of Worcester Cathedral) gave several readings and a short talk, and the RGS Chamber Choir performed three pieces: Mozart’s beautiful anthem ‘Ave Verum Corpus’, Eric Whitacre’s delicate ‘Sing Gently’ (sung by six singers from the Sixth Form) and Coldplay’s affecting and emotional hit ‘Fix You’, accompanied by Upper Sixth Form pupil Ben Weller on the piano. All three pieces helped those at the service to remember loved ones, as did the lighting of around 800 candles as the Cathedral lights were dimmed.
Kitty Hildred in Year Ten, who sang at the event for the first time this year, said “the service was heart-warming, seeing all of the congregation come together in times of personal sadness. To sing at the event was moving and an honour for the whole choir. The speakers were sensitive, and I saw some of the congregation crying during our singing”.
St Richard’s Hospice cares for people registered with a South Worcestershire GP with a serious progressive illness who have complex needs which cannot be met by other services, including cancer and neurological, respiratory, cardiac and renal conditions. The annual ‘Lights of Love’ campaign sees hundreds of twinkling lights lit in memory and celebration of loved ones, as well as recording their names on banners around the Christmas tree at St Andrew’s Spire, Worcester.
Headmaster Mr John Pitt said, “I am so pleased and proud that our choir is asked to perform at the ‘Lights of Love’ service each year. It is always a very special and moving event. The Chamber Choir was exceptional and the audience was so impressed by their performance. This is just one of the ways we can do our bit to support our community and especially the work of the staff of St Richard’s Hospice who provide such important care for others.”