The Christmas for All Gala at St James, Piccadilly features the premiere of Will Todd's EVERY BETHLEHEM.
On Thursday 7 December 2023, St. James's Church Piccadilly hosted their annual hallmark red-carpet Gala: a star-studded concert taking place in the historic setting of St James’s Piccadilly in aid of their 2023 ‘Christmas for All’ appeal.
Kicking off the Christmas season in exquisite style was Tenebrae and the St James’s Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Nigel Short; and US superstar countertenor John Holiday. With world premieres of two new choral and orchestral works – by renowned composers Debbie Wiseman OBE (Wolf Hall, Gospel Alleluias – The Coronation of HM King Charles III & Queen Camilla, The Glorious Garden) and Will Todd (The Call of Wisdom – HM the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Amazing Grace – President Obama’s Inauguration Day Service, The Call of Wisdom, Mass in Blue) – as well as all your Christmas favourites, interspersed with readings from some very special celebrity guests, tit was a lovely way to get in the Christmas spirit.
Concert in support of St James's Piccadilly Christmas campaign: Christmas for All. The appeal raises funds to support their work – and the work of The Passage in Westminster – with those experiencing homelessness.
The two new commissions:
Song of the Night Season
Words: Revd Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease
Music: Debbie Wiseman
Commissioned to mark the 250th anniversary of Ottobah Cugoano
Every Bethlehem
Words: Rector Lucy Winkett
Music: Will Todd
Commissioned for the St James’s Songbook 2023