Carys’s 13-year-old sister, Eliza, who plays the euphonium, also performed. “I never thought I’d be able to play there in front of so many important people,” she said.
“Everyone should have a chance to play music.”
In the middle of the Abbey there was a large crib set, showing the nativity scene, and that provided the setting for a performance by a Cornish sea shanty group, Fisherman’s Friends, who sang a version of I Saw Three Ships.
The guests, with many carers and charity representatives, represented both older and younger generations.
That included Saphia Turner, aged nine, winner of the BBC’s Make a Difference Young Hero Award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for food banks.
D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, who is 102 years old, also attended.
Among the musical performances were Katie Melua singing White Christmas, Dan Smith singing O Holy Night, Zac Abel sang Silent Night and choristers from Westminster Abbey singing traditional carols, ending with Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.
That wasn’t quite the end.
A hot chocolate was offered on a cold London night to warm up guests, many of whom had travelled a long way for this taste of Christmas.
The Together at Christmas carol concert will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
