A Christmas Celebration: Festive Carols and Readings

Join us for an evening of beautiful carols by Chilcott, Howells and Rutter performed by the UKs finest professional singers.
Given this is our most popular annual event, please book early to avoid disappointment! Donations from this event will be made to Rutland Foodbank who work to combat poverty and hunger in the county.Performers
IKON Singers (professional choir)
Rutland Youth Choirs
Anne Bolt (piano)
David Hill (conductor)IKON Singers
The choir comprises the UK's finest professional choral singers and soloists, under the direction of David Hill. The choir released a CD, 'Venite, Gaudete: Music for the Christmas season' on Naxos, and recently recorded a disc of secular music by Herbert Howells; Sine nomine was released on Hyperion in October 2025.Previous programmes in Rutland have included Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, A Sprig of Thyme by John Rutter, Requiem by Gabriel Faur and Hymn to St Cecilia by Benjamin Britten. In September 2025, the choir was invited to give a concert in Oakham School Chapel, performing Herbert Howells Requiem and a selection of works by Sir John Rutter to celebrate his 80th birthday.Rutland Youth Choirs
Founded in September 2023, Rutland Youth Choirs offer choral training for young people aged 5-18, rehearsing weekly in Oakham with a membership of over 45 singers across Young Voices, Junior Choir and Senior Choir. They provide a welcoming, inclusive space for young people who would like to develop their musical interests and to create friendships with other budding musicians. The Junior Choir and Senior Choirs have performed at several events, with recent highlights including the Rutland Justice Service in October 2025, the Rutter celebration concert with IKON Singers and David Hill in September 2025, and Peter Davis Pied Piper at Leicester De Montfort Hall in March 2025. New singers are always welcome! There is no audition, and means-tested bursaries are available. For more information, please visit: https://www.rutlandyouthchoirs.co.uk/ [https://www.rutlandyouthchoirs.co.uk].Anne Bolt (piano)
Anne is currently Head of Piano at Oakham School in Rutland where she divides her time between teaching, accompanying and leading the faculty of pianists. Following a music degree at Oxford University, she studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Hilary Coates. A Fulbright Scholarship and an English Speaking Union Fellowship enabled her to continue her education in America at Indiana University for two years, having lessons with Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio) and graduating with a Master of Music Degree.
Anne is passionate about bringing chamber music to everyone and collaborates with her friends from the music world to perform exciting programmes of opera, song, piano trios, piano duets and other duo works. She has a violin and piano duo with the Dutch violinist, Annebeth Webb, and they perform regularly in Holland. Concerto performances include Mozarts D minor Concerto with the Rutland Sinfonia, as well as Beethovens 4th Piano Concerto , Chopins 1st Piano Concerto and Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue with the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra.David Hill (conductor)
Renowned for his fine musicianship, David Hill is widely respected as both a choral and orchestral conductor. His talent has been recognised by his appointments as Musical Director of The Bach Choir, Music Director of Leeds Philharmonic Society, Associate Guest conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and International Chair in Choral Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music. He was Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers from September 2007 to September 2017 and is a former Principal Conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum.Born in Carlisle and educated at Chethams School of Music, he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists at the remarkably young age of 17. Having been Organ Scholar at St Johns College, Cambridge, David Hill returned to hold the post of Director of Music from 2004-2007. His other appointments have included Master of the Music at Winchester Cathedral, Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral and Artistic Director of the Philharmonia Chorus. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Southampton for Services to Music, and in March 2018, he was honoured with the prestigious Royal College of Organists medal, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral conducting and organ playing. In January 2019, David Hill was awarded an MBE for services to music.Tickets are also available by ringing Susie on 07809 229292.Arts for the Heart of England 2026 Pass
Please note that you can buy a standard ticket just for this concert, or for 80, you can buy a 2026 Pass. Pass holders gain access to all Arts for the Heart of England events, reserved seating, and an invitation to a pre-concert reception on Friday 5th June.Arts for the Heart of England 2026 Pass
Please note that you can buy a standard ticket just for this concert, or for 80, you can buy a 2026 Pass. Pass holders gain access to all Arts for the Heart of England events, reserved seating, and an invitation to a pre-concert reception on Friday 5th June.Dance and Fantasy: Music for Piano, Four Hands presented by Anne Bolt and David Hill
7.30pm on Friday 13th March, All Saints' OakhamConcert lecture: Constructing Elgars Piano Concerto presented by David Owen Norris
Pre-concert reception for Friends & 2026 Pass Holders (from 6.00pm)
7.30pm - 9.00pm on Friday 5th June 2026, All Saints' OakhamHidden in Plain Sight: Buxtehude and Bach presented by chamber ensemble Liturina
followed by Sung Compline with IKON Singers
7.00pm - 9.15pm on Friday 25th September 2026, All Saints Church, OakhamParrys Songs of Farewell with IKON Singers and David Hill
7.00pm - 8.30pm on Saturday 26th September 2026, All Saints Church, OakhamCome and Sing Evensong (Rehearsal at 4.00pm, Evensong at 6.00pm)
Sunday 27th September 2026, All Saints Church, OakhamA Christmas Celebration: Carols and Readings with IKON Singers, Rutland Youth Choirs, Anne Bolt and David Hill
7.00pm - 8.30pm on Friday 18th December 2026, All Saints' Church, Oakham