Carol concert heralds start of festive season at St Mary’s

St Mary’s College in Crosby heralded the start of the Christmas season by holding its annual carol concert.

Staff, students and their families gathered at a packed SS Peter and Paul Church on Liverpool Road to enjoy the atmospheric service in the 100-year-old building.

The Message of Christmas concert – which was partly candlelit – featured a selection of readings, carols and instrumental and choral performances co-ordinated by the school’s director of music, Andrew Byers.

The programme included both traditional songs and more modern festive favourites, with contributions from the school’s symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, chamber choir and lower school choir.

At the end of the service the evening continued in festive fashion with the serving of mulled wine and mince pies back at the school.

St Mary’s College principal, Mike Kennedy, said: “The carol concert is always a very popular event with families, and a really enjoyable way to mark the start of the Christmas season.

“As well as being a lovely event in its own right it is – along with our annual Philharmonic Hall concert and Proms in the Park event – a wonderful showcase for the instrumental and choral skills of our students.

“I would like to pay tribute to all the pupils and staff whose hard work and talent helped to make the service such a first-class musical evening.