Senior School

Norwich Cathedral Choir has released a brand-new album showcasing a selection of carols that has been recorded to celebrate the festive season - Lord of the Dance: Christmas Carols from Norwich Cathedral. The album was released on Friday 7 November on all major streaming platforms and features the choir singing 20 carols ranging from Away in a Manger to The First Nowell and Sussex Carol. In addition, the album is available in CD format from Norwich Cathedral’s gift shop for an introductory price of £10. This was recorded in Norwich Cathedral’s Nave in June this year, with the choir joined by music ensemble Onyx Brass and David Dunnett who retired as the Cathedral organist this summer after an incredible musical tenure of 29 years. Norwich Cathedral’s Master of Music Ashley Grote, who conducted the choir during the recording, said: “I'm really thrilled with our new Christmas album, Lord of the Dance, which is a collection of some of the best-loved carols, some in new arrangements. The combination of the Cathedral Choir, the newly rebuilt organ, along with award-winning ensemble Onyx Brass is a very special sound. It was wonderful to work on this project with Norwich-based independent record label Deux-Elles Classical Recordings; they have managed to capture a sense of what it is like to be in Norwich Cathedral at Christmas time. I hope that the album will bring a lot of joy to people this Christmas!” 

In some rare sunshine on 17 November 2025, a small group was present at the unveiling of a stylish and captivating sculpture located in Norwich School’s Jubilee Wellbeing Garden. Coni Meade was the worthy winner of a competition sponsored by the Friends of Norwich School to design and realise a beautiful artwork to be positioned in the unique Jubilee Wellbeing Garden, a stone’s throw away from Norwich’s magnificent Cathedral. All those pictured had been involved during the process to get to this point: Mr Campbell, Mr Cann and Mr Bowden from the school’s Art & Design Dept who had come up with the idea for the design competition, who ran it and subsequently helped winner Coni realise his vision; talented artist Coni Meade (ON 21-15) who was back for the day in Norwich from Uni in Loughborough accompanied by his proud parents, Nicholas and Mirona to see the work in situ for the first time; Madelé de Lange (former Chair), Anna Stevenson (Social Chair) and Julia Tooley (Secretary) who represented the Friends of Norwich School charity that generously funded the competition and the sculpture’s realisation; Jonathan Pearson ON and Sonja Mitchell who represented the FONS Grants Committee; Mr Sims who works tirelessly with his green-fingered gang of volunteers to maintain the attractive allotment and garden; ON parent Phil Thomas who represented the Dean and Chapter whose wholehearted support for the development of the garden space has been critical. The unveiling of this sculpture has special resonance for the Cathedral Close, complementing the exciting on-going public exhibition Art in the Close, combining ancient architecture with contemporary sculpture. Coni commented: “The artwork is intended to allow people in the Jubilee Wellbeing Garden to feel relaxed and to be reminded of nature, as they decipher the different quotes in the wings.” A huge thanks to all involved. Please take time to visit the Jubilee Wellbeing Garden to see this permanent and bold artwork in place.