The Christ Church Cathedral children’s choirs are busily working to raise funds for their July 2027 residency at Westminster Abbey. Along with the Rutter by Candlelight concert on Nov. 7, and their sale of traditional balsam fir wreaths, they will be holding a silent auction and selling chorister designed Christmas cards.
The Christmas cards are a co-creation with the choristers themselves, who hand coloured outlines of the Westminster Abbey rose window and Christ Church Cathedral’s west window. The cards will be professionally printed and sold in packages of five cards. The sets will cost $20 and will be available for sale at the Christmas concert and the Cathedral Christmas Fair on Nov. 28. All sales will benefit the upcoming trip to London.
The annual balsam wreath sale began in October, and orders can still be made until just after the Nov. 7 concert. The wreaths themselves will likely be distributed at the first Sunday in Advent. They are beautiful, long-lasting and a beautiful symbol of the festive season and the warmth of supporting such an important endeavour.
The children’s choirs provide no-cost musical education and choral training to choristers ages 8 to 17, preparing them for future musical and leadership opportunities. Whether at home or on tour, the Cathedral’s music program and its professional staff are dedicated to advancing excellence in sacred music and fostering a welcoming environment for singers of all ages and backgrounds.
With 65 singers travelling to London, the costs are significant. The choirs and choir families are fundraising to help make the trip more affordable and reduce the cost for individual choristers. James Calkin, the director of music at Christ Church Cathedral discussed in the September 2026 issue of Perspective what a special opportunity it is that the choirs have been invited to perform at Westminster Abbey. Any support of this venture is deeply appreciated by the choristers and their families!
For more information and to stay up to date on the fundraising initiatives, please email: james.calkin@ottawacathedral.ca.
What I carried home from the Camino