Carols in the Cathedral

This December, Exeter Philharmonic Choir is bringing its much-loved 'Carols in the Cathedral' back to Exeter Cathedral for two unmissable evenings of festive cheer, musical brilliance, and a touch of Devon’s Christmas past.

On December 17th and 18th, the historic venue will ring with the sound of carols both old and new, complemented by captivating anecdotes from renowned historian Dr Todd Gray. 

Dr Gray, known for his lively storytelling and dedication to uncovering Devon’s rich history, will take the stage as compere, weaving tales from his research into the choir’s festive repertoire. Drawing on his book about Christmas customs in Devon, Gray promises to delight audiences with humorous and enlightening reflections on how yuletide traditions have evolved in the county over centuries. 

The concerts will feature more than 100 voices under the expert direction of Musical Director Howard Ionascu, accompanied by Associate Director Stephen Tanner on organ and piano.

Adding to the evening’s sparkle is soprano Milly Forrest, whose powerful and emotive voice has graced stages alongside the Royal Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony orchestras. Trumpeters Cameron Todd and Fraser Tannock will lend a touch of grandeur to the evening, ensuring these concerts will be nothing short of magical. 

But this is no passive listening event. Audience members will have the chance to join in and sing along to a few seasonal favourites, making it the perfect celebration of this Christmas season.

Reflecting on the upcoming concerts, Dr Gray remarked, “Exeter Philharmonic Choir is the oldest choir in the city and in the county. I’m looking forward to doing the honours with some enlightening and, hopefully, amusing anecdotes from my book about the customs practised in Devon in Christmases past and how they have evolved into the celebrations we know today.” 

Soprano Milly Forrest shared her excitement as well: “Christmas has always been my favourite time of year. It’s a time when we are reminded about the importance of family, generosity, sacrifice, and above all, love. I am honoured to be performing with the Exeter Philharmonic Choir again in such a sublime setting.” 

The concerts will also support a worthy cause, with donations going to CEDA (Community, Equality, Disability Action), a local charity dedicated to empowering disabled people and fostering connections within the community. 

With a history dating back to 1846, Exeter Philharmonic Choir has built a legacy of musical excellence, performing through wars and pandemics without missing a year. Their annual carol concerts are a highlight of Exeter’s festive calendar and are known to sell out quickly. 

Whether it’s for the joy of singing along, the charm of Dr Gray’s historical insights, or the beauty of Milly Forrest’s soaring soprano, these carol concerts promise to be a magical celebration of the season. 

Tickets, priced between £12.00 and £22.00, are available now at exeterphilharmonic.org.uk