The First Sunday in Advent is the Sunday closest to St Andrew’s Day, which is traditionally celebrated on November 30th. This First Sunday of Advent marks the start of the liturgical or church year. For centuries, St. Andrew has been regarded as the patron saint of Scotland. Today, the day is celebrated with Scottish music, poetry and culture. On Sunday, November 29th we will draw the themes of Scottish culture and the First Sunday of Advent together in the festival service for the beginning of the new year. Bagpiper Michael Weiser will return to play our prelude and close the service with trumpets, organ and drums on the tune Highland Cathedral. The Lake String Quartet will accompany the choir in Dietrich Buxtehude’s Rejoice, Earth and Heaven. 

Bach which bears testimony to the high respect he paid to his then more celebrated colleague from Hamburg: Bach performed the cantata himself in the Thomas Church in Leipzig in 1734.