Carol Service 2025
News
BSU celebrates the festive season with annual carol concert at Bath Abbey
Tuesday, 9 December, 2025As the festive season is in full swing, BSU returned with its annual Carol concert at Bath Abbey. This seasonal celebration was open to students, staff, loved ones and members of the public, as BSU showcased its rich and varied talented community.
The evening featured carols, poetry, music and dance all on the theme of ‘The Unexpected Christmas.’ The carol service offered BSU students the opportunity to perform and showcase their work in a beautiful venue that challenges them to work in different ways. The event was not short of attendance, with over 600 people gathering in the Abbey to reflect on the season and enjoy the festivities.
Opening the service was the popular congregational carol, ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, followed by a prayer and welcome from BSU’s lead chaplain, Rev. Dr Katy Garner. BA Dance students then performed a short number called ‘He Gave’ choreographed by Camilla Tarver, Becca Chudley and Fallon Stephenson.
Original poems and readings were also read in the service from Creative Writing students. Grace Westwood, MA Creative Writing student, wrote and read ‘A Gift in Green’, and 1st year BA Creative Writing student, Mantra Mavers, wrote and read ‘The Gift’.
Musical performances were carried out by BSU’s Music Society choir, who sang ‘Glow’ and ‘O Holy Night’, conducted by Millie Sandford.
It wasn’t only students involved in the service, as Lily Mizen, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Graduate, read ‘What Happened Next…The Christmas Story’. The last of the performances was showcased by the Chamber Choir, conducted by Julian Jensen, who performed ‘A Spaceman Came Travelling’, and ‘The Sussex Carol’.
The service concluded with Vice Chancellor, Professor Georgina Andrews, reading ‘Love Came Down at Christmas’ by Christina Rosetti, and lead Chaplain, Katy Garner, reading John 1.1-14, before leading the final blessing.
BSU Lead Chaplain, Rev. Katy Garner, reflected on the process and effort that goes into these events, saying;
“The work ethic of the students, in particular, to produce the exceptional standard they displayed, all in their spare time, was astounding.”
She also reflected on the success of the evening for all;
“The message of Christmas came across in new and novel ways that I pray will enhance the Christmas season for all those who attended. Thank you to all who came and a special thank you to those who worked behind the scenes to support this being such a success.”
You can find more information on our festive events throughout December here.