Saturday 24 December 2011

The Christmas season

                                                                            The Boss.

We have done a lot of singing this term, so much so that its impossible to select a highlight! This year's Messiah performances were great to be in, and several of us distributed flyers to the audience when they were leaving, and all of them were thrilled by the music, and some said it was the best Messiah they'd ever heard. Certainly, everyones spirits were high and it was clear to see they'd loved the evening. There was a woman in the front row of the audience who was totally mesmerized  by the whole thing, such a lovely thing to see. For me, I felt the narrative flow in a way I haven't when singing it in the past.

     Back to Black, after the Christmas Concert frovilities...

 Darren Jeffery, the Bass Soloist, who had traveled from Somerset to perform. He kindly posed for me when we shared the lift!

This was the last performance for John, who has been in the choir for 25 years. When he recieved his parting gift from Michael he simply said, 'I will miss you all.'


Monday 19 December 2011

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Our third year of community Christmas concerts with Christopher Bell and the Ulster Orchestra.

                   (How do you know Christopher Bell is in town? Look at his amazing feet!)

This concert is an opportunity for us to sing more lighthearted music and have a bit of fun in the concert, and we are positively encouraged to go Fancy Dress..

The first half is Christmassy but relatively sedate..and the ladies are asked to wear coloured blouses in lieu of the usual black.

The first year - second half saw the Phil with a bit of additional sparkle and a few 'sexy santas'


The second year - second half saw some major effort, with pantomime dames, rows of elves, trees, inflatable snowman, puddings, presents, lots of 'sexy santas' and Elvis (elves welcome, said the instructions!). Oh, and a pantomime horse!!

(Tom, I think, who described himself as 'Rather Fetching') 

Year three - some members who had not sung in the Christmas concert before asked for tips on fancy dress. My best advice, "You cannot be overdressed. If you don't go OTT you will feel like the odd one out.."

                       



(no wires.. that halo is obviously real.)



Out came flashing lights, Statue of Liberty, snow queen, even more 'sexy santas' (a proven popular choice) Rudolph, angels and fairies. And the ladies dressed up too.

Ho ho Hosanna in excelsis..

(kindly written by Katherine Hanratty, as your blogger was unable to attend, ba humbug..)