5 WELCOME

6 IN ACTION

A look at the RSCM’s International Chorister Day

8 IN YOUR AREA

A report from RSCM Scotland

10 ‘CHRISTMAS PAST’: THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS IN OUR HISTORIC CHURCHES

Andrew Gant summons the Ghost of Christmas Past to lead readers through the sights and sounds of churches at Christmas over the centuries.

17 FROM THE DIRECTOR

Hugh Morris on writing the story of church music

18 EDUCATION PLAN

Sarah King explains how the new education plan will function and impact upon music making in your region.

20 RSCM NEWS

News and reports across the RSCM’s international network 

23 CONGRATULATIONS

Members’ successes and RSCM awards

26 HOW DO YOU LIKE TO BE LED?

Paul Hedley shares some thoughts on the importance of good leadership.

27 ECUMENICAL ENCOUNTERS: ANGLICAN HYMNS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Andrew-John Bethke on the introduction and impact of hymnody in 19th-century southern Africa.

Or

Andrew-John Bethke on how hymnody spearheaded missionary work in southern Africa.

34 MUSIC SUNDAY, PLANNING AHEAD

Hugh Morris on why it is important to start planning for Music Sunday 2022

36 GIRL CHORISTERS: HERE TO STAY

CMQ talks to Camilla Harris about her memories of being a girl chorister at Salisbury Cathedral.

39 HYMN MEDITATION

Gordon Giles dives into the seasonally appropriate A great and mighty wonder.  

43 GIRL CHORISTERS AND THE ANGLICAN CHORAL TRADITION

Claire Stewart looks at the impact of the introduction of girl choristers over the past 30 years.

47 READERS’ LETTERS

48 BELFAST SINGS

Matthew Owens writes about the buzzing music scene in Belfast.

50 NEWS FROM PUBLISHING

Excerpts from Roy Massey’s An Organist Remembers

53 CLASSIFIED ADS

54 OBITUARIES

51 REVIEWS

CMQ evaluates the latest music books, CDs and a DVD.