Rustenburg High School for Girls' Carol Service a great success

Rustenburg High School for Girls celebrated Christmas with their 67th Carol Service which was held on 9 December in the Kemp Hall. After the Orchestra’s Prelude the choir processed in singing Hodie Christus Natus Est followed by the first of the congregational carols, O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The Rev Nicky Ing from St. Thomas’ Church gave the Bidding Prayer, Final Prayer and Christmas Blessing.

The congregation was able to join in singing many of their favourite carols which included Hark! The herald angels sing, celebrating Mendelssohn’s 200th anniversary, and As with gladness men of old as well as Die Heiland is gebore and Yisani makrestu. Each grade sang their own carol, beginning with the Grade 8’s The Very First Christmas Day by Clark Gassman, the Grade 9’s Canon of the Bells, and the Grade 10’s Christmas Time is Carol Time by Gerald E. Brown, each of which was accompanied by a small chamber orchestra of musicians from that grade. The Grade 11’s sang the traditional Silent Night, accompanied by Samantha Filby (recorder) and Laurie Scarborough (piano).

The carols were interspersed with scripture readings. The Chamber Choir sang In dulci jubilo, and Three Carols in honour of the BVM by the well-known South African composer, Peter Klatzow, which was accompanied by flute, harp and double bass. Another local composer featured was Allan Stephenson who is celebrating his 60th birthday this week. The Chamber Choir sang his Little Star of Bethlehem followed by the General Choir in Carol of the Drum by Katherine Davis, which was accompanied by Savuyisa with help from their enthusiastic director, Tracy Wheeler. More South African composers were featured with the choirs singing John Joubert’s Torches and Grant McLachlan’s stirring Come, Colours Rise with full orchestra and harp.

Many charities benefit from the collection as well as the presents brought by the singers and these include The African Scholars’ Fund, Peninsula School Feeding, the Cheshire Home, Little Angels and Tufcat. Christmas cheer is gladly shared by Rustenburg with children, pensioners, the disabled and animals.

The Christmas Tree was decorated by Mrs Simpson and the Art and Design Committee and looked really festive with the additional decorations of so many colourfully wrapped presents. We acknowledge the contributions of the accompanists, Mrs Jane Theron (harp) and Ms J. Dernier, as well as Mrs J. Slater, who assisted the Readers, with the experienced AV Team providing the sound and lighting as supervised by Mr Broster.

The Carol Service continues to be a wonderful means by which Rustenburg can celebrate the conclusion of another school year and share festive joy with others less fortunate.

For photographs taken on the evening, please see the Photo Gallery.

R Davis