Manchester Carols
St Barnabas Church, Dulwich, London, SE21 7DG
Sunday 29th November 2026 6:00PM
Manchester Carols
Composer: Sasha Johnson Manning
Words: Carol Ann Duffy
St Barnabas Choir
Dulwich Children's Choir
Director: Christopher Woodward
On Sunday 6 December 2026 at 6pm, the Choir of St Barnabas Dulwich and the Choristers of Dulwich Children’s Choir, accompanied by a professional orchestra, will perform The Manchester Carols in what promises to be a fitting conclusion to the church’s thirtieth anniversary celebrations. After a year of special services, events, concerts and celebrations, it seems particularly appropriate that we should bring this milestone year to a close with music.
Written in 2007 by the then Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, and composer Sasha Johnson Manning, The Manchester Carols offer a fresh and compelling retelling of the Christmas story for the twenty-first century. At their heart is the celebration of a child’s birth and all that child would come to represent: a man whose life was characterised by humility, compassion and a profound concern for those on the margins of society. Set against a world of political tension and social division, the story feels as relevant today as it did two thousand years ago.
Above all, The Manchester Carols are for everyone – believers and non-believers, people of all faiths and none, and all who wish to share in the joy, wonder and hope of Christmas.
We can think of no better way to conclude thirty years of musical life at St Barnabas than by coming together in this spirit of celebration.
Composer: Sasha Johnson Manning
Words: Carol Ann Duffy
St Barnabas Choir
Dulwich Children's Choir
Director: Christopher Woodward
On Sunday 6 December 2026 at 6pm, the Choir of St Barnabas Dulwich and the Choristers of Dulwich Children’s Choir, accompanied by a professional orchestra, will perform The Manchester Carols in what promises to be a fitting conclusion to the church’s thirtieth anniversary celebrations. After a year of special services, events, concerts and celebrations, it seems particularly appropriate that we should bring this milestone year to a close with music.
Written in 2007 by the then Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, and composer Sasha Johnson Manning, The Manchester Carols offer a fresh and compelling retelling of the Christmas story for the twenty-first century. At their heart is the celebration of a child’s birth and all that child would come to represent: a man whose life was characterised by humility, compassion and a profound concern for those on the margins of society. Set against a world of political tension and social division, the story feels as relevant today as it did two thousand years ago.
Above all, The Manchester Carols are for everyone – believers and non-believers, people of all faiths and none, and all who wish to share in the joy, wonder and hope of Christmas.
Event Details
Starts at 6:00PM
