14
December 2026

Christmas music

Welcome to The Arts Society Henfield. Scroll down for further information.
Monday, December 14, 2026 - 14:30
Henfield Hall, Henfield
Coopers Way Henfield BN5 9EQ
Online Event

A festival tale; the story of Christmas music.

Christmas music evolved from religious hymns in Rome, developed into popular carols in various European regions, and eventually incorporated secular songs and themes. The story of Christmas music is a blend of religious tradition, folk music, and the influence of historical events. In the 19thC. publication of Christmas music books, particularly in England, broadened the appeal of carols and other Christmas songs. 

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Professor Raymond Holden

Born in Australia, Professor Raymond Holden AM studied at Sydney, Cologne and London and is both a critically acclaimed and a multi-award winning writer, conductor, broadcaster and lecturer. He has performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Emilia Romagna and the New Symphony Orchestra of London, and has been published regularly by Oxford, Cambridge and Yale University Presses, the Royal Academy of Music Press, Hans Schneider Verlag (Vienna) and by ICA, EMI and Warner Classics. Professor Holden has appeared on BBC Television and Radio, Servus TV (Germany), RAI Television and Radio, ABC Classic FM, 3MBS FM, Vision Australia Radio, SRF (Switzerland) and Classic FM (South Africa), and has spoken at many of the world’s leading music and literary festivals, universities, conservatoires and research institutes. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and is currently Emeritus Professor of Music at the Royal Academy of Music, London.