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The young choristers singing on Christmas day

Jon Wrightin Ipswich
News imageJon Wright/BBC Four young people wearing festive jumpersJon Wright/BBC
Freddie, Talia, Emily and Joseph all went on a trip to Ipswich's partner town of Arras in France in October

Young choristers say they are looking forward to singing on Christmas Day.

They will be part of the morning service at Ipswich Minster, rounding off a busy season of performances and events, including recording a BBC Radio Suffolk special for broadcast on 25 December.

Joseph, 12, said: "I really like how singing brings everyone together, to see the people in the church who have come there to worship God; it's a really nice way of expressing how you feel."

Emily, 11, said: "I like doing all the concerts, singing pieces that I normally wouldn't be able to sing, having loads of opportunities and making new friends. It's just a nice community."

News imageJon Wright/BBC A vicar stands with two choristers in a church. There are Christmas trees in the background.Jon Wright/BBC
The Reverend Tom Mumford with choristers Beatrice (left) and George (right) at the recording on Sunday, 7 December

St Mary-le-Tower, the civic church for Ipswich, was redesignated in January, so this will be its first Christmas as a minster.

They hosted a special Celebration of Christmas on 7 December, recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk, including performances from the choir, audience carols and folk duo Kyson Point.

The Reverend Tom Mumford, vicar-in-charge, said: "It's been an amazing year and this will cap it off wonderfully.

"There really is something magical about this time of year, about the intertwining of scripture and song, lifting people up in love and hope."

News imageJon Wright/BBC A man and two women sing into microphones at the front of a church. The woman in the middle has a keyboard in front of her, and there are guitars on stands next to her.Jon Wright/BBC
David Booth (left) and Kelly Booth (centre) who perform as Kyson Point, were joined by Lucy Hart from Honey and the Bear

Kyson Point are Suffolk husband and wife David and Kelly Booth, named after the promontory on the River Deben at Woodbridge.

"That was a pretty special evening, it's amazing to be part of and to sing in a building like this," said David.

They performed two original songs, Winter and What Will Christmas Be?, along with three arrangements of traditional Christmas songs, including the playing of a flugelhorn.

David said: "I grew up playing in brass bands, so, you know, you have to bring it out now and again!"

News imageJon Wright/BBC A picture taken from the back of a church, with a choir at the far end. The pews are full of people and there are Christmas trees around the pews.Jon Wright/BBC
The service marked the end of the Christmas tree festival inside the church, with 100 local groups and businesses each decorating a tree
News imageJon Wright/BBC Luke Deal and Sarah Lilley singing from service-sheets inside a church with Christmas trees in the background.Jon Wright/BBC
BBC Radio Suffolk reporter Luke Deal and mid-morning presenter Sarah Lilley shared Bible readings of the Christmas story, along with breakfast show presenter Wayne Bavin and Minster clergy
News imageJon Wright/BBC Wayne Bavin standing behind a gold bird-shaped lectern in a church. There is a Christmas tree in the foreground and the choir is visible behind himJon Wright/BBC
BBC Radio Suffolk's breakfast presenter Wayne Bavin also gave readings at the Celebration of Christmas

A Celebration of Christmas will be broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk at 12:00 GMT on 24 December as part of Sarah Lilley's mid-morning programme, and again at 13:00 on Christmas Day.

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