One-Day Winter School on Christmas Carols

Description

This inspiring one-day Winter School brings together music, history, poetry, spirituality, theology and cultural heritage to explore the fascinating world of Christmas Carols. Throughout the day, engaging academic lectures alternate with inspiring musical workshops, led by leading scholars and professional musicians. Join us for a unique and heart-warming Christmas experience in the historic Pieterskerk in Utrecht.

The programme takes participants on a journey through the rich history of Christmas Carols, exploring their origins, musical styles and changing traditions. What exactly are Christmas Carols? Where do they come from? How have they evolved over the centuries? And why do these melodies and texts continue to resonate so deeply today?

Special attention is given to the evocative imagery of winter in Christmas Carols. What do these images reveal about the human longing for warmth, light and connection? Taking In the Bleak Midwinter as one of the starting points, the programme explores the deeper layers of meaning embedded in these cherished songs. Contemporary research into meaning-making also sheds light on how Christmas Carols evoke memories, emotions, spirituality and a sense of community.

And, of course, there will be singing! Under the guidance of inspiring musicians, participants will experience the joy of singing Carols together and discovering Carols from different centuries.

As the winter afternoon draws to a close, the day culminates in a short, festive Carol concert in the atmospheric surroundings of the Pieterskerk, followed by a warming glass of Glühwein.

• Discover the fascinating history and origins of Christmas Carols.
• Explore different musical styles, from medieval Carols to contemporary compositions.
• Learn how the English language and poetic traditions have developed through the centuries.
• Discover the symbolism of winter, darkness, light and hope in beloved Carols such as In the Bleak Midwinter.
• Explore the spiritual and cultural significance of Christmas Carols through contemporary research into meaning-making.
• Experience inspiring lectures and interactive musical workshops with leading scholars and musicians.
• Participate in a festive closing Carol concert in the surroundings of the historic Pieterskerk.
• End the day with a warming glass of Glühwein.

Lecturers

The Winter School will be led by Dr Hanna Rijken, researcher, theologian and musician (Tilburg University & Rotterdam Conservatoire Codarts), together with scholars and professional musicians specialising in Christmas Carols, music history, English language and literature, theology, cultural heritage and musical performance.

A full list of lecturers and the detailed programme will be announced in due course.

Target audience

The One-Day Winter School on Christmas Carols warmly welcomes everyone with a love for Christmas Carols who wishes to discover the stories, music and traditions behind these beloved songs.

Participants from a wide range of academic, musical and cultural backgrounds are welcome, including:

• Students of music, English language and literature, musicology, theology, religious studies and cultural studies.
• Singers, choir members, conductors, organists and other musicians.
• Clergy, theologians, educators and researchers interested in sacred music and cultural heritage.

Aim of the course

Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Have gained an understanding of the historical origins and development of Christmas Carols.
• Be able to recognise important musical styles and traditions associated with Christmas Carols.
• Understand the relationship between English language, poetry and musical expression in Carol traditions.
• Be able to reflect on the symbolism of winter imagery, light, darkness and hope in Christmas Carols.
• Have explored the role of Christmas Carols in contemporary culture, spirituality, collective memory and meaning-making.
• Have experienced the relationship between academic reflection and practical music-making.

Study load

The course consists of a one-day programme combining academic lectures, interactive musical workshops and a concluding Carol concert.

Time: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Location: Pieterskerk, Utrecht

Participants wishing to obtain 1 ECTS credit will be informed of any additional study requirements before the course.

Tags

• carols
• music
• choral
• English language
• Christmas
• spirituality
• winter
• winterschool
• snow