Christmas Concert, 7th December

Last night we had our annual Christmas at Christ church. A friendly and responsive audience joined us to hear us celebrate the centenary of Benjamin Britten's birth with a performance of his Ceremony of Carols, which the choir last performed in 1998 under the baton of then new MD Philip Wood. He was in the audience to hear us sing it again, this time accompanied by renowned harpist Mary Dunham. Solos were sung by Jane Gambles, Jean Lack and Anne Marie Kerr.

Other choir numbers were Rutter's arrangement of Personent Hodie; What Child is this, sung to the traditional Greensleeves melody; a Spiritual carol, Rise up, shepherd, and follow (popularised by the King singers!) and two gospel carols with a solo by Angela Evans. The programme was supplemented by a selection of ever popular congregational carols, and a solo harp selection by Mary Dunsford showed us just how versatile this lovely instrument can be. A Cumbrian Music Medley was followed by the lush slow movement from Prescetti's Sonata in C Minor. Chansons dans la Nuit (Carlos Salzedo) contained some surprising sound effects - a fun and original piece. A Welsh piece, of course: John Thomas's Minstrel's Adieu to his Native Land; and a jazzy finale, Deborah Henson-Conant's New Blues. Finally, before we repaired to the bar for drinks, nibbles (and raffle tickets!), the choir sang an impromptu performance of an old a capella favourite, Amen Siakedumisa, as a mark of respect to Nelson Mandela, who died this weekend. Further performances before Christmas: next Wednesday in Jennings Brewery Yard, with the Mechanics Band, at their annual Christmas Carol event; carols for Sainsbury shoppers next Saturday morning; and finally, Christmas Eve at Castle Inn, which seems to be becoming an annual event. Finally, thanks to old choir member Lynn Wolley, for coming all the way from her new home in Manchester to hear us sing. I promise to write more regular blogs next term so you can keep up with our antics!