Our Aims

The Christmas Carols Appreciation Society was founded in 2025 with the aims of celebrating, preserving and deepen enjoyment of carols as music, history, and shared culture. We also actively promote the writing of new Christmas carols, encouraging contemporary poets and composers to contribute to the living tradition

Musical & Cultural Preservation

 

  • Preserve traditional Christmas carols from different regions, languages, and eras

  • Encourage historically informed understanding of carol origins

  • Document lesser-known or endangered carols and local traditions

  • Collaborate with other organisations sharing similar aims

 

Appreciation and Education

 

  • Promote awareness of the musical, poetic, and theological richness of carols

  • Offer talks, workshops, and listening sessions on carol history and composition

  • Educate new generations about the social and cultural role of carol singing

 

Participation and Community

 

  • Encourage communal carol singing as a joyful, inclusive activity

  • Create and nurture a welcoming community for carol singers and for those interested in the history and traditions of carol singing

  • Provide opportunities for connection and exchange between singers, scholars, composers, clergy, and enthusiasts

  • Organise gatherings, events, and informal networks that foster shared learning, friendship, and collaboration

  • Support both amateur and experienced musicians in exploring carols as a living, shared cultural practice

Resources, Publications and Sharing

 

  • Create high-quality resources on carols, including online content, a members' magazine and books exploring carol history, practice, and new writing

  • Share knowledge and materials to support singers, choir leaders, composers, and educators

  • Use digital platforms to connect members, promote events, and widen access to carol-related learning

  • Act as a trusted point of reference for those seeking reliable and thoughtful engagement with the carol tradition

Scholarship, Creativity and New Writing

 

  • Support research into carol traditions, manuscripts, and composers

  • Actively promote the writing of new Christmas carols, encouraging contemporary poets and composers to contribute to the living tradition

  • Champion new works that are musically singable, textually meaningful, and suitable for communal use

  • Commission, publish, perform, and record new carols alongside historic repertoire

  • Provide opportunities for collaboration between writers, composers, choirs, and congregations

Inclusivity and Outreach

 

  • Celebrate carols from diverse cultures and Christian traditions worldwide

  • Make carol singing accessible regardless of musical training or belief

  • Use carols as a means of charity, outreach, and social connection

Seasonal Joy and Meaning

 

  • Promote carols as a way to reflect on themes of hope, peace, generosity, and joy

  • Encourage mindful listening rather than purely commercial or background use

  • Promote carol singing as a living tradition rather than a nostalgic relic

"Blah blah blah."

John Smith