Christmas events 2017
Already January is marching on, but we look back with pleasure on a most enjoyable Christmas season of singing.The first date in our Christmas calendar was our annual visit to St Mary’s, Nether Alderley, in support of their Christmas Fair, this year on 2 December. A large number of Barnby members came out to sing, and we were ably directed and accompanied by our regular conductor and accompanist, Lloyd and Stephen. We sang two selections of carols in the Church, and during the interval were generously rewarded with hot drinks and Christmas cake, and a chance to visit the Fair. In both sessions we were joined in the well known carols by an enthusiastic audience, and a particular pleasure was the singing of the children in Away In A Manger. Our thanks to the Rector and all at St Mary’s for the repeat invitation, and for the very warm welcome we always receive there.
Our Christmas concert followed on Sunday 10 December, when we were elated to sing to a packed United Reformed Church in Wilmslow. Acompanied by organ, trumpets and drums, we began with Handel’s rousing Zadok The Priest, followed by his setting of the Te Deum. After the interval we performed a wide range of carols, both unusual and traditional, and we appreciated the lusty singing from our visitors in the audience carols! Our thanks to our soloists Joanna Harries, Sebastan MacIaine and Aaron O’Hare, to organist Elin Rees, percussionist Andrea Vogler and trumpeters Kat Curlett, Craig Eastwood and Laura Wilson, for their excellent contribution.
Later the same week, a number of members made a return visit to Oakmere residential home in Handforth, where we spent a very pleasant couple of hours singing carols and Christmas music, directed and accompanied by Doug Macdonald on keyboard. We were delighted that so many residents came to hear us and to join in the singing, and we enjoyed chatting to them over a cup of tea at the end of the afternoon. Our warm thanks to them and to the staff for making us so welcome.
We are now busy rehearsing for our next concert on 10 March, and are looking forward to welcoming the usual large numbers to our Singing Day with Keith Orrell on 10 February.
