PUPILS from Manchester High School for Girls were centre stage at the première of 16 new Christmas carols written by the poet Carol Ann Duffy, and composer, Sasha Johnson Manning.

Manchester Carols featured musicians and singers from MHSG, as well as Manchester Grammar School and Withington Girls’ School.

They were complemented by the Northern Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Daily Service Singers for the sell-out event at The Royal Northern College of Music.

The carols retold the Christmas story for the 21st century and involved many hours of rehearsals for the MHSG vocalists. Both composer and lyricist joined forces to create MHSG’s new school song, Teach Me To Learn, unveiled for the first time at our 2007 Founders’ Day Service.

Carol Ann Duffy was interviewed talking about the Manchester Carols by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Click here to listen again.

Other Links:

• News feature in The Times, click here.
• To order photographs from the event, click here.
• To order music from The Manchester Carols, click here.