Live updates from Celebrating Christmas with The Salvation Army 2023

Bethany Gibson shares updates from backstage at the Royal Albert Hall for The Salvation Army's annual carol concert.

• You can watch a recording of tonight's concert on Sunday 10 December from 6pm on The Salvation Army’s YouTube channel.

10pm

And with a rousing rendition of ‘Hark! the Herald Angels Sing’, accompanied by the International Staff Band, a trumpet fanfare and the Royal Albert Hall's organ, the concert has finished!

Don’t forget to join us on YouTube on Sunday at 6pm.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for more Christmas content, visit salvationist.org.uk/christmas - we’ve got articles, podcasts, videos, Bible studies and resources to help you reflect on the comfort and joy that comes from the birth of Jesus.

Goodnight!

9.15pm

Backstage, we’ve been asking people about their favourite carols. For stage manager Jo, it’s ‘Coventry Carol’, while Andrew from the SA Big Band loves ‘Hark! the Herald Angels Sing’ and backstage host Territorial Envoy Ruth Morey (North Walsham) picks 'The Star in the East'.

How about you? You can vote for your favourite brass, choral and contemporary Christian Christmas music in Salvationist Radio’s Christmas Top 10.

Tonight’s audience is in fine voice for the carol singing. You can join in from the comfort of your own home this Sunday at 6pm – visit youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo.

7.45pm

Major Jo Moir (THQ) has been busy filming behind the scenes with our special guests for the broadcast this Sunday (10 December) at 6pm.

Meanwhile, rehearsals have finished and the audience is arriving and taking their seats – there is a buzz of excitement as we wait for the concert to start!

5pm

Hello from London! I’m Beth and I’m the editor of salvationist.org.uk. I’m backstage at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall, where the cast and crew of Celebrating Christmas with The Salvation Army are making their final preparations for the territory’s annual carol concert. 

If you’re unable to be with us in London tonight, you’ll be able watch the concert on The Salvation Army’s YouTube channel this Sunday (10 December) from 6pm.  

Keep an eye on this page for behind-the-scenes photos and updates from performers or follow facebook.com/SalvationistUKI for content from my colleague, Jess.