Alexandra Coghlan

How we became a nation of choirs and carollers

The roots of the English choral tradition lie in our alehouses as much as our cathedrals

Choral music is now as popular as Premier League football: Harry Christophers conducting the Sixteen choir at Hatfield House, part of A Choral Odyssey. Image: The Sixteen 
issue 05 December 2020

Between the ages of 15 and 17 I had a secret. Every Monday night I’d gulp down dinner before rushing out to the scrubby patch of ground just past the playing fields, where a car would be waiting. Hours later — long after the ceremonial nightly locking of the boarding house — I’d sneak back, knocking softly on a window to be let in.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in