AN ENCHANTING evening of carols, songs and stories is to be held at St James Chapel, Okehampton, a week before Christmas. Wren Music, Devon?s folk and community arts development organisation, in association with All Saints Parish Church and the Okehampton United Charity will be presenting ?Carols at St James? from 8pm on Tuesday December 18. The evening, which will combine a service with Christmas songs and stories told in the folk tradition, will feature the first ever performance by the Okehampton Community Carollers and Musicians. This large group of singers and musicians from the Okehampton area have been developing their repertoire with Wren Music over the last three months. A community group of musicians complements the ethos of St James Chapel, one of only eight ancient mayoral chapels in the country, that does not belong to any denomination but is for all the people of Okehampton. Wren Music said: ?The programme for the evening will include familiar and well-loved favourites such as ?While Shepherds Watched? along with new arrangements in the distinctive West Devon folk style of carols. ?The West Devon traditional folk style is typified by three-part vocal harmonies; the middle voice carries the melody, whilst the higher and lower voices provide decoration and variation around the tune. ?The service will be preceded by an introit, with music played from the Musicians? Gallery.? The Musicians? Gallery was built into the chapel after a partial rebuild in 1862 and harks back to the old Wessex churches documented by Thomas Hardy. The evening will end with a recessional procession and a musical guard of honour as all depart. Admission is free and there will be a collection for the charity Tear Fund. Wren Music can be contacted on 01837 53754 or by e-mailing [email protected]">[email protected] for further information.
