Christmas 2021 "Christmas around the world"
This was a joyous occasion with the choir presenting their first concert for almost two years. They have made heroic efforts during the pandemic to stay connected and, although they were down in numbers, they had lost none of their enthusiasm or musical commitment.
The programme was a mixed one shared with the vocal ensemble LUMINOS and with solos from Soprano, Suzy Johnson, Violinist, Imogen Key and Kevin Ashman doubling both as trumpet soloist and conductor. In addition, there was a new work composed and conducted by James Corse and throughout, the ever-supportive accompanist, Emma Davis.
The choir opened the evening with a song with which we could all identify – “We need a Little Christmas” taken from the musical “Mame.” In the course of the evening, they also sang carols from Russia, Nigeria, and Columbia, finishing with John Rutter’s ever popular Shepherd’s Pipe Carol. They have lost none of their energy and rhythmic drive and the audience delighted in hearing them back in action. LUMINOS is an accomplished eight voice vocal group who tackled some challenging contemporary works by Taylor Scott-Davis, James Macmillan, and Jonathan Dove. They had a sure grasp of some complex part writing and an impressive range of expressive dynamics and articulation. Their performance of “Ring out, wild bells” painted a wonderful sound picture with Emma Davis drawing some incredible bell sounds from the keyboard. “Night of Wonder” with words and music by James Corse, a member of the choir since 2009, is scored for double choir, soprano & trumpet solos, and piano accompaniment. It is a reflection on the Christmas story from the perspective of a lone shepherd on the hills above Bethlehem. As its six verses progress from Sunset to Sunrise, it exploits all the resources to maximum effect with a rich harmonic vocabulary and beautifully shaped soaring musical lines. The choirs clearly appreciated the opportunity to give the world premiere of the work under James’s direction and brought to it great dedication and commitment. Other carols combined the two choirs and in “Calm on the listening ear of night” the singing was enhanced by a lovely violin obligato played by Imogen Key and in Bob Chilcott’s “The Shepherds Sing” by Soprano Suzy Johnson and Kevin Ashman on trumpet.
Sadly, the four combined carols lacked the usual level of support from the audience, but they did make valiant efforts to sing behind their masks. This was something of a landmark evening for both performers and audience. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to take part in, and listen to, live music, something which we have missed for almost two years. That it is still an important aspect of life was evident from the evening’s music. Paddock Wood Choral Society have taken the lead in encouraging us all to resume business as far as is possible and hopefully will have inspired many others to join them in the future.
This was a joyous occasion with the choir presenting their first concert for almost two years. They have made heroic efforts during the pandemic to stay connected and, although they were down in numbers, they had lost none of their enthusiasm or musical commitment.
The programme was a mixed one shared with the vocal ensemble LUMINOS and with solos from Soprano, Suzy Johnson, Violinist, Imogen Key and Kevin Ashman doubling both as trumpet soloist and conductor. In addition, there was a new work composed and conducted by James Corse and throughout, the ever-supportive accompanist, Emma Davis.
The choir opened the evening with a song with which we could all identify – “We need a Little Christmas” taken from the musical “Mame.” In the course of the evening, they also sang carols from Russia, Nigeria, and Columbia, finishing with John Rutter’s ever popular Shepherd’s Pipe Carol. They have lost none of their energy and rhythmic drive and the audience delighted in hearing them back in action. LUMINOS is an accomplished eight voice vocal group who tackled some challenging contemporary works by Taylor Scott-Davis, James Macmillan, and Jonathan Dove. They had a sure grasp of some complex part writing and an impressive range of expressive dynamics and articulation. Their performance of “Ring out, wild bells” painted a wonderful sound picture with Emma Davis drawing some incredible bell sounds from the keyboard. “Night of Wonder” with words and music by James Corse, a member of the choir since 2009, is scored for double choir, soprano & trumpet solos, and piano accompaniment. It is a reflection on the Christmas story from the perspective of a lone shepherd on the hills above Bethlehem. As its six verses progress from Sunset to Sunrise, it exploits all the resources to maximum effect with a rich harmonic vocabulary and beautifully shaped soaring musical lines. The choirs clearly appreciated the opportunity to give the world premiere of the work under James’s direction and brought to it great dedication and commitment. Other carols combined the two choirs and in “Calm on the listening ear of night” the singing was enhanced by a lovely violin obligato played by Imogen Key and in Bob Chilcott’s “The Shepherds Sing” by Soprano Suzy Johnson and Kevin Ashman on trumpet.
Sadly, the four combined carols lacked the usual level of support from the audience, but they did make valiant efforts to sing behind their masks. This was something of a landmark evening for both performers and audience. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to take part in, and listen to, live music, something which we have missed for almost two years. That it is still an important aspect of life was evident from the evening’s music. Paddock Wood Choral Society have taken the lead in encouraging us all to resume business as far as is possible and hopefully will have inspired many others to join them in the future.