A great choir Christmas - now for 2024!

January 1 2024: The choir enjoyed a busy Christmas. Its activities began with the choir’s traditional Christmas concert at St John’s Shirley on 9 December.  It was an evening of firsts. Andrew Moore made his debut appearance with the choir,  covering for regular conductor and fellow Northern Irishman Matthew Quinn who was called home for a family emergency.

CMVC at St Johns Christmas Concert (photo Pascal)

The second first was the premiere of the Irish ballad Star of the County Down. This was Matthew’s first arrangement specially for the choir and it was enthusiastically received by the packed audience.

The last first was the debut performance by six of the 20 new members attracted to the successful Open Evening in October. They joined the choir on stage for the last set and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Many more of their contemporaries are expected to stage at the next concert on 17 February.

Amid all these firsts, the programme included audience participation carols.  The choir has established its own tradition by singing While Shepherds Watched to the Yorkshire hymn tune Cranbrook. As soon as the audience recognised it as the familiar Ilkley Moor Baht ‘At they sang along gustily.

CMVC at Whitgift Centre, raising money for charity

 The choir welcomed celebrated Croydon-based tenor Tom Robson to sing solo spots in each half. Particularly seasonal were Michael Head’s The Little Road to Bethlehem, and Tom’s wish in his encore for us to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Tom then joined the choir for their encore by singing the affecting solo verse in Morte Criste.

In addition to the formal concert, the choir continued its 15-year practice by performing on two December afternoons in the Whitgift Centre. Shoppers showed their appreciation and generosity by donating over £1500 to charities. These included  Crisis at Christmas, so important in supporting the homeless over the festive period.   The choir is now looking forward to 2024 with renewed enthusiasm.

Report and photo by Banners