ACCLAIMED UK POET HEADING TO CHESTER CATHEDRAL FOR A CRACKER OF A CHRISTMAS CONCERT

One of the UK's leading poets is set to headline a special Christmas concert, which will see one of Chester's top choirs join forces with a renowned Chester Orchestra for an evening of festive music and songs in the historic surroundings of Chester Cathedral.

Entitled "Christmas Crackers", the special festive concert which takes place on Monday 18^th December at 7.30pm will be introduced by acclaimed poet, author and broadcaster Lemm Sissay and will feature Chester Music Society Choir, Chester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Children of the Chester Cathedral Saturday Singing Club, all under the baton of Conductor Graham Jordan Ellis. 

The concert will feature a number of much loved traditional carols alongside Bob Chilcott's "The Time of Snow", John Rutter's Jesus Child and Erico Morricone's Gabriel's Oboe from the film "The Mission".

Described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most original, challenging poets writing in Britain today", Lemm Sissay was the official poet of the 2012 London  Olympics and, since 2015, he has been Chancellor of the University of Manchester. He released his first book of poetry in 1988 at the age of 21, and since the age of 24 he has been a full-time writer, performing internationally. He recently presented Origin Stories on BBC Radio 4. His poems can be found on display at such illustrious institutions as The Royal Children's Hospital, The Royal Festival Hall in London and the offices of The British Council in Addis Ababa. Sissay's poem which forms part of "Gilt of Cain", a sculpture created in collaboration with Michael Visocchi to celebrate the abolition of the Slave trade, was unveiled in London by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2008.

Joining Chester Music Society and Chester Philharmonic Orchestra on stage will be members of Chester Cathedral's Saturday Singing Club, a fun, relaxed club for primary school children aged 6 and above. The club performs at services in the Cathedral throughout the year including Mothering Sunday, Harvest and at the Christmas Eve Crib Service. 

This year, for the first time, to enhance the overall experience for audience members in the side aisle seats in the Cathedral, large TV screens will be installed to help make the concert a truly magical occasion for everyone.

Speaking about the concert John Ferrari, Chairman of Chester Music Society Choir said:

"We are delighted to be presenting our annual Christmas concert at Chester Cathedral once again this year and are really looking forward to welcoming Lemm Sissay to join us as our special guest along with Chester Philharmonic Orchestra and the young members of the Cathedral's Saturday Singing Club for what will be a very festive family friendly concert. Christmas Crackers is always one of the highlights of the year for us and we can't wait for our audience to join us for a very special evening."

Full details of "Christmas Crackers" can be found at: 

www.chestermusicsociety.org.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Tickets can also be purchased in person from the Chester Cathedral Box Office.

Pictured - Chester Music Society Choir.