The Crypt Choir of The King’s School Canterbury recently took festive singing to a whole new level by performing carols while riding a rollercoaster. The choir visited Chessington World of Adventures and sang traditional carols such as “Ding Dong! Merrily on High” while on the theme park’s Mandrill Mayhem rollercoaster, reaching speeds of 45mph and heights of 66ft. This unique experience was captured on video, showcasing the choir’s harmonious voices blending with the exhilarating coaster ride.
According to a survey of 2,000 individuals, conducted recently, three in 10 people consider carols to be one of the most cherished aspects of the holiday season. Despite the popularity of contemporary Christmas hits, 45 per cent of respondents still prefer timeless traditional carols. Will Bersey, the director of music at The King’s School Canterbury, described the extreme carol singing on a rollercoaster as an unforgettable experience for the choristers. He expressed the enthusiasm with which they embraced the challenge of singing traditional carols in such a unique setting.
The choir’s performance at Chessington World of Adventures marked the commencement of the Winter’s Tail event at the theme park. This event includes a grotto, live shows, entertainment, and an exclusive carol concert scheduled for 23rd November. While the choir is looking forward to their festive performance at the event, Will Bersey hinted that they might opt for a more stationary position for their upcoming performance.
Howard Ebison, the divisional director of Chessington World of Adventures, expressed his delight in combining the joy of Christmas carols with the thrills of the park’s rides. A survey by Chessington revealed that 67 per cent of Brits believe carols are vital in creating the perfect holiday atmosphere, with 85 per cent enjoying listening to or singing carols during December. Notably, Gen Z showed the most love for Christmas carols, with 9 out of 10 expressing their enjoyment. Many young adults mentioned that hearing Christmas music reminded them of their school days and brought back fond memories with friends and family.
The survey disclosed that over half of young adults, aged 18-27, believe November is an acceptable time to start playing Christmas carols. Around 40 per cent stated that it’s never too early to begin the festive music. While almost two-fifths of Gen Z hope to attend a carol concert this year, 18 per cent admitted that they haven’t sung carols since their school days. The survey also revealed that ‘Silent Night’ emerged as the nation’s favourite carol, followed by ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Jingle Bells’, with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ completing the top five.
The choir’s performance on the rollercoaster garnered attention for its innovative approach to spreading festive cheer. As the holiday season approaches, the blend of traditional carols and thrilling rides at Chessington World of Adventures sets a unique tone for Christmas celebrations. The choir’s rendition of carols while on the rollercoaster not only showcased their musical talents but also added a touch of excitement and joy to the festive atmosphere at the theme park.