Melbourn students go along to BBC Carols from King’s rehearsals

A group of 16 students from Melbourn Village have been given a sneak preview of a concert that will be televised on Christmas Eve.

They were among youngsters from across Cambs given the chance to listen to rehearsals for the famous Carols from King’s at a special performance for invited schools.

They took their places in a packed King’s College chapel in Cambridge as the choristers practised for the concert which has been recorded and will be shown on BBC television on December 24 in addition to the live radio broadcast of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The students – from Year 9, 10 and 11 – all have a special interest in music and a handful of them were able to sit in the choir pews for a bird’s eye view.

But nobody missed out as the choir spent half the concert towards the back of the chapel and there were also big screens strategically placed in the chapel built between 1446 and 1515.

The service comprised a mix of Carols, readings and prayers.

Caroline Deadman, one of the staff who accompanied the students, said: “It was amazing. It was really magical with the choristers, the choir, the lighting and the stained glass.

“It makes you feel real Christmassy. You would never have known it was a rehearsal. It was just beautiful and we feel very fortunate to have been invited to attend.”