An Evening of Reflection · Saturday 11 July 2026
A Music Concert on the Writings of St. John of the Cross
Five original pieces drawing on the mystical poetry of St. John of the Cross — a contemplative journey through love, longing, darkness, and the flame of divine union. Jazz, classical, and contemporary worship woven together in one sacred evening.
Book Your Place View ProgrammeAbout the Concert
Within God is a concert of five original musical pieces inspired by the writings of St. John of the Cross. Led by vocalist and songwriter Angel Anyamele, with cellist and pianist Simeon Elderfield, this is an evening where the mystical poetry of John meets jazz, classical music, and contemporary worship in a profound act of prayer.
"Where have you hidden, Beloved, and left me moaning? You fled like the stag after wounding me; I went out calling you, and you were gone."
St. John of the Cross — The Spiritual CanticleThe concert forms part of the Saturday Evening of the 2026 Annual Spirituality Summit — marking the 300th Anniversary of St. John's Canonisation. Each piece is accompanied by brief spoken reflections, drawing listeners into an encounter with the saint's vision of God's love. The concert is also available to join online via live stream.
Themes of the Evening
Evening Schedule
The Artists
Vocalist · Songwriter · Coordinator
Liverpool, UK
Angel Anyamele is a vocalist, songwriter, and worship leader with a deep passion for facilitating encounter with God through song. Her soulful voice and warm tone, shaped by the likes of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Samara Joy, have graced stages across the Leeds and Liverpool jazz scene.
Angel is a familiar presence in national and international worship ministry, particularly through the One Hope Project, Youth 2000, and The Mark 10 Mission. She coordinates Within God, bringing her musical imagination fully to bear on the poetry of St. John of the Cross.
A graduate of medicine from the University of Leeds, Angel serves as a doctor in the NHS alongside her musical life.
Pianist · Cellist · Composer
London, UK
Simeon Elderfield is a pianist, cellist, and composer whose musical gifts span classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. He brings technical precision and expressive depth to the instrumental voice of Within God, weaving piano and cello through the concert's five original pieces.
His playing is characterised by sensitivity to silence and space — qualities that make him an ideal collaborator for music rooted in contemplative prayer. Working alongside Angel, Simeon gives musical shape to some of the most demanding mystical poetry in the Christian tradition.
Hear Angel
Angel Anyamele's music draws from the deep wells of jazz, gospel, and contemplative worship — a voice that moves with the warmth and lyricism of the great jazz vocalists she admires, yet carries something distinctly prayerful.
For Within God, Angel has composed five original pieces inspired by the mystical poetry of St. John of the Cross — a body of work she has spent months inhabiting, allowing the saint's images of flame, darkness, and longing for God to find their way into music, melody, and voice.
"The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of divine union."
St. John of the Cross — The Ascent of Mount CarmelThe Programme
Each piece draws from a different work of St. John of the Cross, traversing his poetry across language, genre, and spirit. Together they trace a contemplative arc from longing to union, from darkness to living flame.
| # | Piece | Source Text | Genre | Instruments | Musicians |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I |
The Canticle
Words of St. John of the Cross (English)
|
The Spiritual Canticle | Jazz · Classical | Voices Piano |
Angel Simeon |
| II |
The Living Flame
Spoken word over instrumental (English)
|
The Living Flame of Love | Minimalistic | Piano Cello |
Angel Simeon |
| III |
Stanzas of the Soul
In the original Spanish of St. John
|
Stanzas of the Soul | Contemporary Worship | Voice Piano |
Angel |
| IV |
The Communication
Words of St. John of the Cross (English)
|
Romances II: The Communication Among the Three Persons | Contemporary Worship | Voices Piano · Cello |
Angel Simeon |
| V |
Light and Love
Original lyrics, inspired by St. John
|
The Sayings of Light and Love | Gospel · Call & Response | Voice Piano / Guitar |
Angel |
Book Your Place
Attend in person in Oxford or join the live stream from wherever you are. The concert may be booked independently of the full summit.
In Person · Standard
£38
Full price · Oxford
In Person · Concession
£30
Students, unwaged & seniors
Online · Live Stream
£20
Watch from anywhere
Attending the full Summit? The evening concert is included in the in-person summit registration. Contact admin@carmelite.org.uk for group bookings or enquiries.