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DUCS Christmas concert poster

Our talented students launch a varied programme of music, theatre and Christmas cheer this week, with an exciting choice of seasonal performances for everyone to enjoy, taking place at venues across the city.

The season starts with the annual Cathedral Carol Service in Durham Cathedral on 29 November. This festive highlight is organised by students from Durham Christian Union and brings together students from choirs across the university.

Bringing music to the City

Student singers and musicians will also be adding to the atmosphere of the Durham Christmas Markets on Sunday 5 December, where they will be holding a ‘Carol-a-thon’ to raise money for Durham Music Trust.  who help to fund local children’s musical education. The Trust help to fund local children’s musical education and the amazing opportunities that the Durham Music Service provides. The aim is for as many people to take part as possible, singing carols from 10am – 5pm.

Northern Lights a ‘Capella group is also raising money for charity with the release of a Christmas single. They have recorded the single ‘Never Alone’ to raise funds for the Durham branch of Age UK, aiming to raise £1,000 for the charity. The single will be available on Spotify and can be download from 3 December.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without carols the sounds of a traditional Brass Band and this year is no exception. As well as performing in the Cathedral Carol Concert, the Choral Society will be holding their own concert, under the baton of Conductor John Forsyth in the wonderful setting of Elvet Methodist Church on 8 December. While the Brass Band is teaming up with the Concert Band, to deliver an end of term concert on 10 December in the same venue.

A night at the Theatre

The Assembly Rooms Theatre is the home for Durham Student Theatre performances throughout the year and this Christmas will be the venue for a brand-new comedy play, based on the popular BBC series ‘Miranda’. Ooook! Productions have secured permissions from comedian and writer Miranda Hart and the BBC to produce the show which will be performed from 9 – 11 December.

Katya Davisson, President of Durham University Choral Society (DUCS), summed up the feelings of student performers;   “We are all so excited to be performing again, especially as we couldn’t do anything last Christmas. We really want to share what we do, with as many people as possible and enjoy Christmas as much as we can.”

Christmas Performance Programme

Listings of Student Theatre and music performances taking place this Christmas include:

Monday 29 November - DICCU Annual Carol Service.         Durham Cathedral                   

December                             

Wednesday 1-  Durham Dynamics Winter Concert, St Oswald’s Church

Wednesday 1 - ‘Christmas on the Hill’, Hill Orchestra Elvet Methodist Church

Thursday 2 -     ‘Now sleeps the crimson petal’, Chamber Choir, St Oswald’s Church

Friday 3 -          DU Classical Ensemble, Elvet Methodist Church

Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 - ‘Edges’ Assembly Rooms Theatre

Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 - ‘Synthesize’, Assembly Rooms Theatre           

Saturday 4 -    ‘Reverie’ DU Palatinate Orchestra, St Oswald’s Church

Saturday 4 -    Choral Society Carols, Indigo

Sunday 5 -      Comedy Lock In, Assembly Rooms Theatre

Wednesday 8  - Choral Society Carol Concert, Elvet Methodist Church

Wednesday 8- Friday 10 ,‘Bull’  Mark Hillery Arts Centre, Collingwood College

Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 - ‘Miranda’ , Assembly Rooms Theatre

Friday 10         Concert Band & Brass Band Christmas Concert, Elvet Methodist Church

Find out more:

·       Visit Music Durham for full information on all musical performances and to book tickets

·       Visit Durham Student Theatre for information and booking on all theatre events

·       Assembly Rooms Theatre, Durham