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Christmas Concert

Author: Bruce Wyatt

Information

Date
13th December 2024
Society
Stourport Choral Society
Venue
Stourport High School
Type of Production
Concert
Musical Director
Dexter Drown
Accompanist
Angie Allard
School Choir Leader
Kelly Rodriguez

My last but by no means least, invitation in 2024 was to attend Stourport Choral who with 20 youngsters from Lickhill Primary School Choir linked up for a most festive celebration of Christmas. No sooner had Stourport Choral sung a great opening ‘Jingle, Bells’ the audience were invited to join them standing with a hearty ‘God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen’. After two more accomplished numbers the company sang ‘Good King Wenceslas’ with gusto and then a lesser known version (by me) of ‘The Holly and the Ivy’.

‘Mary’s Boy Child’ followed including some beautiful solo work by Sharon Toy and Mary Sinclair, and then John Rutter’s ‘Angels’ Carol’. The choir from Lickhill Primary school then gave us a charming ‘Born on Christmas Day’, following which everyone was invited to stand again and join in singing the ’12 Days of Christmas’, with much amusement and appropriate actions! Refreshments were then served and a visit to Father Christmas was available (not for me).

In Part 2 , after ‘Sleigh Ride’, the audience was again invited to join in singing ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’. The traditional German carol ‘Schneewalzer’ followed, but no audience actions this time – I’m sure  we have done previously – and then an American carol ‘The Christmas Song’ including a very pleasant solo piece from Gary Talbot. After ‘Away in a Manger’ when the first verse was sung by the The Lickhill Primary youngsters, they then followed this with their powerful version of ‘Midnight’. At this point, apart from being his usual exuberant self throughout, MD Dexter Drown engaged with the youngsters about their favourite music choices, which was great fun.  

‘O Little One Sweet’ a German traditional carol was nice and gentle, and Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ that followed was sung with musical smoothness and finally we all stood to sing ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’. Stourport Choral closed their concert with ‘We wish you happy Christmas…’ which concluded a very happy evening. Congratulations once again to MD Dexter Drown and accomplished pianist Angie Allard and the warm welcome from members. I look forward to a ‘Garland of Folk Songs’ to be held on 28th March 2025.

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