Christmas Concert

This society performed this year in aid of the charity Doctor Kershaw’s Hospice and had a guest conductor Barry Sugden for the one off concert. The compere was again Mirriam Lawton who filled in between numbers informing us of trivia about conductors, songs etc whilst wearing a variety of hats.

The programme was varied with some songs by Diggle School, some by the choir and some well known Christmas carols where the audience join in.

The Orchestra performed two numbers, Gold and Silver Waltz by Lehar and Prelude and Mazurka from Coppelia by Delibes which sounded beautiful with a 30 piece Orchestra.

The children from Diggle School choir sang beautifully starting with The Christmas Song then A Starry Night and finally Where’s Rudolph? which allowed the humour and fun this choir have to shine  through. Kate Wilson directed the school choir and her passion shines through to the children who also perform whilst enjoying themselves.

I always love the carols where we all stand to sing and this year was no exception with fantastic choices of O come, All Ye  Faithful, The First Nowell, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Unto Us A Son is Born and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The choir sounded amazing and were faultless on every number but I particularly loved “Carol of the Bells”,  “Metylitsa”, “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “O Holy Night”. The choir are clearly worked hard to achieve the beautiful harmonies and this year was no exception with such a full beautifully rounded sound. The start of the Festive season starts for me at this event with mince pies and coffee after the programme and a chance to catch up with the society members.

The Orchestra Leader (First Violin) Donald Clarke is leaving the orchestra after many years of performing and accompanying this wonderful choir and I wish him well in his retirement as he will be missed by all.

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