Christmas Celebration

This was The Saltburn Songsters' 39th concert and 2026 will mark the company’s 20th anniversary. This concert was a very promising and exciting look into what next year’s celebration for this group could hold, and I am very much looking forward to returning to watch another performance. The Emmanuel Church in Saltburn is a venue I have not been in before, and what a beautiful building to experience my first concert in. The church oozed class and quality as well as a beautiful finish, much like the Songsters themselves. 

Dan Matuszak seamlessly wore multiple hats as Musical Director, Director, and Conductor, even donning a stylish flat cap later in the evening. His expertise and talent were evident throughout, inspiring the performers to deliver an exceptional concert. True to his vision, Dan and the Songsters ensured the programme remained fresh and engaging by incorporating unique arrangements of classic Christmas songs alongside lesser-known selections. Serving as host, Dan combined polished introductions with light-hearted anecdotes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that beautifully connected the choir with the audience.

Gillian Ash provided outstanding accompaniment throughout the evening, showcasing her versatility on both piano and organ. Her superb musicianship allowed her to follow Dan’s direction effortlessly while delivering consistently skilful performances. Gillian’s ability to navigate a wide range of styles and technical challenges was a true highlight, complementing the singers perfectly. A standout moment came during Christmas Canon of People, where she executed the intricate and demanding passages with remarkable precision and apparent ease.

The evening was filled with joy and left the audience in an unmistakably festive and cheerful mood. The concert opened with an impressive mash-up of seasonal melodies that immediately captured attention. Many in the audience were swaying and smiling as the Songsters delivered a vibrant selection of Christmas favourites, setting the perfect tone for the night.

‘Sing We Now Of Christmas’ was a beautiful example of the choir’s skills when it comes to more technical singing, which was clearly well-rehearsed and dynamically filled the church with a lovely wrap-around audio experience with the sounds coming from all around you. On the topic of technical ability ‘Ring Silver Bells,’ was a more upbeat and wordier piece, but clear and crisp all the same.

I was delighted to have a song dedicated to me for the first time, a truly thoughtful gesture. The chosen piece, Joseph’s Carol, was performed in authentic Yorkshire style, complete with local accents and flat caps, creating a warm and humorous moment. This sense of inclusivity continued with the first of three communal songs, which offered a wonderful opportunity for audience participation and connection through shared singing.

A Christmas Melody introduced the first soloist of the evening, Jenny Ash, whose violin performance added a stunning dimension to the music. The blend of piano, violin, and the choir’s rich vocals created an incredibly beautiful and atmospheric moment. This was followed by a heartfelt rendition of At Christmas Time, setting the stage perfectly for the Act 1 finale, Joy to the World. The finale was a vibrant and uplifting conclusion to the first half, featuring expressive singing and impeccably balanced harmonies throughout. During the interval, performers mingled warmly with friends and family, sharing smiles and laughter—a lovely reflection of the evening’s joyful spirit.

The second half of the concert was devoted to the theme of children at Christmas, a thoughtful and heartwarming focus. This shift in tone offered a delightful sense of nostalgia, inviting the audience to experience the season through the magical perspective of a child’s eyes.

‘Christmas Children’ from Scrooge was a lovely number to start Act 2; telling the story of children at Christmas was a lovely reminder that this time of year is for family. Followed by ‘Pure Imagination’ from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, again a beautifully sung featuring a solo by Dan at the start of the number to ease the audience into the whimsical world that the Songsters lay out for us. A different version of ‘Away In A Manger’ and was to become one of my new favourite Christmas songs, the composition of this version was stunning, delivered with perfect performance and harmonies.

One of the unique pieces of music was their rendition of ‘Little Toy Trains’ written by Roger Miller back in 1967. Their updated version of the piece gave it a whole new feeling. Beautiful harmonies which helped everyone return to a more childlike state, remembering what the excitement felt like around Christmas time and hoping for the gift you asked for. The vocals filled the church and gave chills down my neck. It was a beautiful version of the song. 

We were then treated to another one of my favourite musical songs, ‘When Children Rule The World’ from Whistle Down The Wind. We were given the chance to hear Catherine Ing perform a solo to start the number, which was performed with confidence and clarity. The whole of the Songsters then joined in for a moving and impressive display of vocal control throughout the song. Using the strength of togetherness, this was another chance to get all the audience and cast on their feet singing ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.’ ‘Walking In The Air’ and ‘Because It’s Christmas for the Children’ were our next two songs, which were both performed with lovely use of dynamics and collaboration between the different vocal parts.

As Long As There’s Christmas introduced soloist Catherine Ing, whose gentle opening grew in confidence and strength as the piece progressed. It was a pleasure to discover that Catherine is not only an accomplished violinist but also possesses a beautiful solo voice. Following this was Lucy Robinson, performing with admirable conviction despite it being her first-ever concert solo. Lucy later shared that she had been extremely nervous, yet as she began to sing, her confidence blossomed, allowing her lovely voice to shine. The audience relaxed with her, sharing in the moment, a sentiment echoed by her proud friends and family nearby. As the Songsters joined in, the number became a wholesome and heartfelt way to lead toward the concert’s conclusion.

The penultimate number was a full-venue rendition of Do They Know It’s Christmas, beginning with Dan leading the opening lines before the audience joined in, while the Songsters added harmonies and counterpoints. This was a brilliant idea, creating a sense of unity and making everyone feel part of the performance. The evening concluded with O Holy Night, a piece Dan shared has become a cherished tradition in their Christmas concerts. He admitted it still gives him chills, and it was easy to see why. The Songsters delivered a stunning finale, singing with elegance and precision, their harmonies rich and truly magical.

The evening ended with both cast and audience singing ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas,’ smiling, singing and truly all within the real meaning and spirit of Christmas. The whole evening was a group of people, mostly strangers to each other, enjoying a common love which is music. If there is anything that brings so many people together from so many different walks of life, it is music, and this fantastic evening really displayed that. As I was leaving the church, I overheard a couple of audience members from the older generation talking to each other about the show. One thing the lady said really summed up the whole evening, she turned to her friend and said “That was a proper, magical Christmas concert. I feel all warm now.” I hope the whole company has a very happy holiday season, till next time!

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