Shepherds Arise

Shepherds Arise! will be giving a concert at St Nicholas’ Church, Arundel on Sunday 13 December at 2:30pm.

This is the first time that they will have been to Arundel – come and join us for a special afternoon in the run up to Christmas…

Their repertoire includes carols such as ‘Blow ye the Trumpet’, an anthem from a book belonging to John Bailey of Ringmer (1842), ‘Shepherds Arise’, from The Copper Family of Rottingdean, ‘The Ditchling Carol’, written by Peter Parsons, shoemaker of Ditchling (1825 – 1901), and the aforementioned ‘Falmer Carol’. Between the carols are readings about Christmas in Sussex in the past, and the musicians play lively dance tunes from old Sussex manuscripts.

The first half finishes with the ever popular, and evolving, Ovingdean Mummers’ Play (1870). Our merry band is currently formed of twenty-six singers and eight instrumentalists, comprising flute, fiddles, clarinet, English concertinas, bassoon and last, but by no means least, the serpent. And there will be opportunities for the audience to learn and join in the carols and become part of the enjoyment of singing in the ancient St Nicholas Parish Church.

Akin to the first glass of mulled wine of the season, Shepherds Arise! provides both a warming and cheering link to the past (with some ingredients unearthed at the back of cupboards thrown in), and a treat for the audience and performers alike to look forward to the following year when ‘the trees are all bare’ (Christmas Song, The Copper Family). As Frederick Jones remarks in his reminiscence ‘A Church Choir Visits the Gentry on Christmas Eve’ (1847), “it is difficult to say who has the greater pleasure, the hosts or the guests”.

The Shepherds Arise! concert is being held with the kind assistance of Fr. David Twinley, vicar of St Nicholas’ Church, and there will be a retiring collection in aid of Arundel Museum.