St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem celebrates the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in much the same way as set forth by Kings College in Cambridge nearly a century ago, and including the tradition of a newly commissioned work. This year's premiere is an anthem for Christmas by English composer Malcolm Archer. He's the former Director of Music at St. Paul's Cathedral in London and current Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College in the heart of England.
The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is Sunday, December 20, at 5:00pm at St. Paul's in Winston-Salem, featuring the world premiere of Malcolm's Christmas anthem “A Sound of Singing Fills the Air”. Also on the program will be the beautiful Robert Parsons' setting of "Ave Maria," and a familiar chorus from Handel's "Messiah."
Malcolm spoke with David Ford by phone from his home in Winchester and David was joined in the studio by St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem organist and choirmaster John Cummins.