Christmas Concert 2023

Monday 5th February, 2024 - 3:40pm

For the majority of the choir, this concert is the highlight of the year. Our special guests this year were Twin Harmony - Jenna and Morwenna Matthews and the choir secretary’s grandson, Oliver James whose home is in Norway. The last time the choir were graced with our special guests was in 2017.

Tickets for the concert went on sale in early December and within eight days they were sold out. This meant that three hundred and fifty people joined the choir to begin the Christmas celebrations. The concert was also recorded by Coast FM to be aired over Christmas (and is still available via their website).

Oliver’s solo performance was on the violin playing ‘Meditation’ from Thais for Violin and Piano by Massenet. Accompanying Oliver was the choir’s very own musical wonder, David Ceredig-Evans. This beautiful aria from Massenet’s opera was played with absolute feeling by Oliver and richly deserved the standing ovation given to him.

Twin Harmony’s repertoire included “I Believe” originally sung by Andrea Bocelli and Katherine Jenkins. This was so poignant and filled with such emotion that you could not  stop thinking about the ongoing events around the world, particularly in the Middle East. I’m pretty sure that there were tears in people’s eyes whilst this was being sung. They were also accompanied by David.

The choir began rehearsing the carols back in September and new this year were “Sweet Chiming Bells” and “See Amid The Winter’s Snow” traditional carols, both arranged by musical director, Stephen Lawry. A firm favourite of the choir was sung at the end, “Mary Did You Know? by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, arranged by Jack Schrader along with Merritt Carols interspersed throughout the evening. Some traditional Merritt Carols were also sung throughout the concert.

The Blessing at the end was given by the Vicar, Andrew Yates. This was followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the church hall which had been provided by the choir’s ladies committee.

Thanks to the choir, Annette Turton, Twin Harmony, Oliver James, Maureen Trevorrow, David Ceredig-Evans and Dean Hayward and our readers who all contributed to a grand time, and not to forget the audience, from whom the carols sounded wonderful.

As with of the choir’s Christmas concerts, proceeds from the concert benefitted two charities - The Cinnamon Trust and CLEAR.

The annual Boxing Day sing at the Bath Inn proved to be a very enjoyable occasion and the choir would like to thank the landlord, Paul Gooding at the Bath Inn for providing an excellent buffet.

The choir would like to extend their thanks to everyone who made the concert and Boxing Day festivities a success and would also like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2024. We look forward to seeing you at our concerts very soon.