DARKNESS TO LIGHT - ADVENT PROCESSION - Archived
Issued Tuesday 7th November 2006
Salisbury Cathedral’s hugely popular Advent Procession From Darkness to Light takes place this year on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December at 7.00pm.
This wonderful service begins in total darkness and silence as the great Advent Candle is lit at the West End of the Cathedral. By the end the Cathedral is illuminated by almost 1300 candles for, as the Precentor explains, “In simple terms we are reminded that however dark our world or personal lives may be, a light has been lit which will never go out – Jesus is always with us.”
The service is a mix of music and readings from the Old and the New Testament telling the story of Christ’s coming, during which two great processions involving about one hundred people – including clergy, choirs and taperers - move around the entire building.
Director of Music, David Halls, loves this service and fully understands why it is regarded by many as the unmissable start to the season of Advent. “The music, sung by the cathedral choir, is a mixture of plainsong and polyphony, all of which is unaccompanied. I feel that the austerity of this style of music is perfectly in keeping with the feeling of expectation that underpins Advent. It is contrasted with the great Advent hymns which sound truly magnificent sung here by a congregation of over seventeen hundred accompanied by the mighty Father Willis organ. There is a great feeling of momentum as the service reaches its climax.”
The cathedral choir is conducted by David Halls and Timothy Ravalde, the cathedral’s organ scholar, and the organist is Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Music.
Doors open at 6.00pm and entry into the Cathedral will be via the Consistory Court (the main visitor entrance). Those who wish to arrive early will be able to queue undercover in the Cloisters where seasonal refreshments will be available.
No tickets are required for the Advent Procession but please note that there can be no admission once all seats are taken. There is no public parking in The Close but parking will be made available for Disabled Badge holders entering via the High Street Gate.
Photo by Andy Rouse