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Royals’ Christmas service under threat as choir goes on strike
Choir members have boycotted rehearsals amid a dispute over modernisation, risking the Royal Family's traditional Christmas service at Sandringham, with an ultimatum given to parents.
- This year, choristers at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham have boycotted rehearsals, jeopardising their ability to sing at the Christmas service as attendance dwindled and one session was abandoned with only three children.
- Following a drive to raise standards, Rev Paul Williams commissioned an 18-month review that said members had `no knowledge of music or singing technique`, sparking a rift with Dr Claire Stewart, who produced a 28-page dossier before leaving earlier this year.
- Two choir girls walked out earlier this year after a stand-in choirmaster instructed them to wave `jazz hands`, and the review recommended social media to improve recruitment and criticised the limited repertoire.
- Rev Paul Williams issued an ultimatum to parents and guardians of choir members to decide by the end of Friday whether to keep their child in the choir, while The King has been made aware and Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
- With a full schedule of Christmas services planned at Sandringham, the choir traditionally performs at St Mary Magdalene Church, which has hosted royal baptisms and underscores the choir's cultural role.
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6 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources6
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Right
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources lean Right
66% Right
L 17%
C 17%
R 66%
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