“ǢFENDRÉAMA: FOUR SONGS FOR CHRISTMASTIME” By Hilgrove Kenrick (EP)

Hilgrove Kenrick’s “Four Songs for Christmastime” arrives as an extraordinary blend of sacred choral tradition and cinematic atmosphere, cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile and emotionally resonant composers working today. Known for his award-winning scores in film, television, and game music, along with intimate solo piano releases and large-scale choral commissions, Kenrick brings his full artistic range into this seasonal EP crafted for the newly established choir Aefendreama. The project, co-led by Kenrick and conductor-composer Chloe May Evans, was recorded live inside the 900-year-old walls of Leominster Priory, capturing the reverberant warmth, historic acoustics, and spiritual gravity unique to such sacred spaces. Available now across all major streaming platforms including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music, this EP stands as a deeply reflective offering for the Christmas season and a masterclass in how modern composers can reimagine traditional choral expression for contemporary audiences.

The opening track and EP focus piece, “Winter’s Breath,” immediately establishes the sonic world Kenrick would like listeners to inhabit, one that is floating, wordless, and steeped in the chill yet magic of winter air. Built on close ambient harmonies and crystalline soprano lines, the piece functions like the inhalation before the season’s first snowfall. Soloist Sara Brimer-Davey, formerly a high soprano of The Swingles, delivers a breathtaking performance with an almost weightless vocal purity. The absence of text becomes a strength rather than a limitation: the music speaks through texture, blend, and spatial presence. Kenrick’s talent for cinematic sound design is unmistakable. His experience writing additional music for productions such as “12 Monkeys (NBC Universal)” and “Shadowhunters (Freeform/Disney)" echoes in the EP’s atmospheric layers, ethereal enough to drift, grounded enough to stir emotion. The delicate engineering by Hugh Robjohns and spatial mixing by Kenrick heighten this sense of floating, making “Winter’s Breath” an immersive meditation. It is not just heard; it is felt, a nod to Kenrick’s signature ability to build emotional landscapes rather than simply compose melodies.

The second track, “Here is the Man,” takes listeners into a deeper, more solemn territory. Set to premiere at the Worcester Cathedral Carol Service on Christmas Eve 2025, this piece is arguably the emotional core of the EP. Here we see Kenrick’s strength as a composer deeply rooted in both sacred choral tradition and cinematic narrative. The work begins with a sense of reverent stillness, slowly blossoming into a rich harmonic statement that evokes themes of revelation, humility, and spiritual contemplation. The choir of Aefendreama, whose members include singers from the prestigious Three Choirs Cathedrals of Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester, along with voices from international ensembles, performs with exceptional unity and expressive nuance. Under the direction of Chloe May Evans, every phrase breathes with intention, sensitivity, and refined musicality. Evans’ conducting style, shaped by rigorous training in Cambridge and her acclaimed work as a composer and chorister, elevates the performance with poetic pacing and emotional clarity. The organ accompaniment by Nicholas Freestone contributes a sacred depth that complements the choir without overwhelming it, maintaining the text’s solemnity while amplifying its resonance.

Shifting perspectives, the third track, “When they saw the Star,” introduces the compositional voice of Chloe May Evans, and this adds a refreshing layer of diversity to the EP’s musical narrative. Evans’ writing is thoughtful, evocative, and rooted in a deep understanding of traditional choral aesthetics. Her work has already connected with millions globally across classical piano compositions, choral scores, and even contemporary duets exploring themes such as motherhood and identity. Here, she demonstrates a gift for clarity and storytelling through harmony. The piece reflects the wonder and quiet awe associated with the nativity story. Rather than overwhelming listeners with grandeur, Evans crafts something sincere, intimate, and beautifully illuminated, much like the star guiding the Magi. Aefendreama’s execution of her score is flawless: warm lower-voice foundations, shimmering soprano textures, and a gentle emotional rise that feels honest rather than theatrical. This track ensures that “Four Songs for Christmastime” doesn’t sit within only one stylistic voice but embraces collaboration, contrast, and artistic synergy.

The EP closes with Kenrick’s interpretation of “I Wonder as I Wander,” a traditional Appalachian carol reimagined here with haunting minimalism and reverent tenderness. Kenrick resists the temptation to over-embellish, instead choosing to honour the song’s inherent longing and mysticism. The choir delivers the text with clarity and emotional humility, lifting the familiar tune into a timeless winter hymn. The acoustic environment of Leominster Priory again becomes a character in the performance, its old stone absorbing and releasing sound like a living memory. John Elleson-Hartley’s mastery at MusikLab adds polish and depth, allowing each vocal layer to shine while preserving the raw authenticity of a live choral recording. There is an exquisite stillness in this arrangement, a kind of spiritual exhale, that leaves listeners suspended in reflection long after the final chord fades.

What makes “Four Songs for Christmastime” especially compelling is the context behind the music. Kenrick, whose global audience now reaches millions, with tracks like “Melt” surpassing a million Spotify streams and more than 12.5 million plays on Pandora, brings his full artistic maturity to this project. His background as a cathedral chorister in Birmingham, his work with jazz ensembles across the West Midlands, and his award-winning film/TV compositions all converge here in a seamless tapestry of experience. Meanwhile, Evans contributes not just as conductor but as co-founder of Aefendreama, an ensemble born out of shared passion for choral music and the landscapes of The Marches. Together, they’ve created a choir with extraordinary potential, one where cathedral-trained purity meets contemporary artistic imagination. This EP is both a debut showcase and a promise of what’s yet to come from this brilliant collaboration.

“Four Songs for Christmastime” is more than a seasonal collection; it is a spiritually rich, artistically ambitious, and emotionally resonant work that stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation. Every element, composition, performance, recording space, production, and artistic intent works together to create a transcendent listening experience. Whether streamed on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or any global digital platform, this EP offers listeners a journey through winter’s quiet beauty, sacred storytelling, and the profound emotional landscapes that define Hilgrove Kenrick’s artistic voice. As a shout-out to Hilgrove Kenrick and Chloe May Evans, this project proves that their partnership, alongside the remarkable choir Aefendreama, is a gift to the world of contemporary choral music. “Four Songs for Christmastime” stands as a breathtaking contribution to the season, one that invites listeners to pause, breathe, reflect, and rediscover the wonder of Christmastime through sound.

Written by Manuel