• INTRODUCTION
  
  
• Musicians
  
  
• Tracks and notes
  
  
• CD launch information
  
  
• Buy the CD!
  
  
• Recording weekend

INTRODUCTION

What Sweeter Music is the result of two months’ intense work during the late summer of 2006, although its seeds have been sown over the past nine years.  It is in the time since 1997 that I have assisted my father in directing the music for the regional Cancer Research UK carol service at All Saints’ Church in Weston-super-Mare.  Although I was aware of the wonderful work of Cancer Research UK, its relevance was brought home at Christmas 2004 and again at Christmas 2005 when respectively my father and I were diagnosed with different forms of cancer.  As I recovered from treatment, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine experiences of both the carol service and of Cancer Research UK by releasing a disc in aid of the charity.  Featuring some of the music performed at the carol services since 1997, this disc is the end result.

My sincere gratitude has to go to all the musicians who feature on this disc; it bears testament to their professionalism, musicianship and dedication during the recording sessions, especially given the constraints of time.  For them to give of their time so freely and at such short notice demands no end of thanks.  They travelled from all over the United Kingdom to take part, helping to give a wider-reaching feel to what is essentially a local venture.

Finally, thank YOU for buying this disc and aiding the brilliant work it will help fund.  I hope you enjoy this selection of carols – some which are old favourites and others which hopefully will be popular new discoveries!  This project has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved and it has been a privilege to have had so much fun in aid of Cancer Research UK.

With all best wishes for a very merry Christmas,

Jonathan Manners