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S T J O H N ’ S C A R O L S

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The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin - The birthplace of St John's College.
Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols—November 2018

In January 1898, an impatient Revd. J.L Hodgson reminded the Par- The school bused all the college boys and their parents to the Cathe-
ish Council of St Mary's that he had specifically joined the Parish with dral for a wonderful service, with the choir, directed by Dr Oosthuizen
the clear understanding "that a Choir School could be, and would be, and Mr. Nyamazele, in fine voice and supported by the Cathedral’s
shortly started". The outstanding scholar reminded the Council mem- magnificent organ played by the school organist, Mr Upchurch. The
bers of all the illustrious teaching posts he had given up to come to choral pieces were amazing and the whole school sang rousingly for
South Africa to start a Church School. Thus, the first shots were fired the congregation hymns.
which led to the birth of St John's College.

A few months later the porch of St Mary's Church - a primitive lean-to The service also saw the singing of a new piece, work-shopped by the
structure - became the accommodation for a few weeks for the first choir with Dr. Oosthuizen and Mr. Nyamezele, based on the tradition-
few future pupils (mostly church choristers) of St John's College. In al hymn “Ulizwi”. The service was a true celebration in preparation for
the early twenties it is recorded in the Johannian (the school maga- Advent and Christmas.
zine) that the whole school attended a Sung Eucharist at St Mary's
Cathedral, making an impressive show of numbers. Since 2003, the
traditional St John's College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has
been held at St Mary's Cathedral.

In September 2005, a concert programme of masses by Durufle,
Haydn, Widor and Couperin was performed by the Old Johannians,
College Choir and Collegium Vocale. This concert was attended by
300 guests.
Thus the tradition continues...another St John's College Festival of
Nine Lessons and Carols was held at the Cathedral of St Mary the
Virgin, Johannesburg on Sunday, 11th November 2018.

The Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin - Newsletter I page 14