Christmas Concert

42 choir members came together under the steer of Choir Master David Beall to provide a joyful evening of Christmas entertainment accompanied throughout by the skills of Nicola Tayler, and with running commentaries from David. The Concert was a mixture of songs, carols sung with audience, and recited pieces.

Opening numbers “Jingle Bells” was sung brightly with a super arrangement of harmonies and the classic “Deck the Halls “ and again nice harmonies and tone.  Margaret Whitfield read a Pam Ayres comedy prose “Good will to all men.  Give us your money”; and the audience joined along willingly with “Once in Royal David's City” the first of communal carols.  The choir continued with “In the Bleak Mid-winter”  with Holst’s arrangement as the first of the two versions, and followed by a duet from Margaret Jones and Anna Marie Ellis of “Jesus Welcome to Bethlehem” which was a beautiful song  - a real treat.  The modern Mark Lowry song “Mary Did You Know” was a song performed with great intimation and feeling – lovely. The poem of the Christmas Fairy was acted out by Alistair Bolton in full costume  - a comedy treat. Alan Bullard's “Scots Nativity” and the Claude-Michel Schonberg's “Bethlehem” by the choir completed the first half.

Interval included their video created to inform of their scheme to sponsor a child to theatre that uses donations to pay for children to watch the society’s shows and thus introduce the next generation that wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance to come to theatre. 

The second half continued with “Christmas Tree Feud” with some lovely effects from the men in counterpoint to the lyrical chorus of the ladies.   Margaret Jones gave a reading whilst accompanied by Paul Dixon on acoustic guitar of the history of actors in 18th century to play the story of Jesus's birth that has given rise to the carol “Silent Night” then sung by the choir.  A piano solo from Nicola Tayler of “The First Noel”  was delightful with a beautiful arrangement in melodious “twiddly” (her description!) style. “The Holy Child” was a song from the choir and oboe accompaniment by Sue Brett, that added a real Arabic atmosphere to a lovely song.  Classical Quartet  “One Candle” was sung by Frances Cook, Mike Harbisher, David Beall, and Meike Wanjek with lovely balance of voices  - really beautiful! Changing style to “Walking in Winter Wonderland”  nicely performed with different sections singing the melody lines.  Annette Simpson read a poem of Cinderella as a comedy version with spoonerisms in every phrase that was very clever and she never dropped a word  - well done.   The choir continued with a carol by John Ritter “The Jesus Child”, lovely carol with joyful rhythm and good diction of the flurry of words.  The second version of “In the Bleak Mid-winter” this time by Harold Darke had lovely solos from Debbie Hodgson and Paul Dixon and with harmonies from the choir. 

Last song of the evening was Ravel’s “Pavane for a Silent Night”  accompanied by Sue Brett once more on oboe giving a really atmospheric final number.  A very festive evening that even finished with mince pies! Well done all.

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