Following our fantastic 140th anniversary concert at the end of October, a large, enthusiastic audience joined us for our Christmas concert on Sunday 18th December in Ayr Town Hall at 7.30.p.m.
Everyone enjoyed the selection of familiar and new carols, accompanied by Gordon Cree on organ and piano. The audience joined in with gusto, particularly with their percussion accompaniment to Jingle Bells! ‘My Lord has come’ by Will Todd and extracts from Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, accompanied beautifully by Sharron Griffiths on harp, were highlights.
Special guests, Wellington School Chamber Choir, were led by their conductor, Dennis Haggerty, and accompanied on piano by the head teacher, Simon Johnson.
They sang ‘Gloria’ by Mary McDonald and ‘Christmas Lullaby’ by John Rutter, and followed ‘God bless us every one’ from Disney’s Christmas Carol with ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley’ Their talent, enthusiasm and musicianship was greeted with rousing applause by audience and choral members.
The Council Chambers was packed during the interval with audience and choir members enjoying mince pies and shortbread, along with interval drinks supplied by Kiama Trust, in aid of cancer support in South Ayrshire.
A bucket collection in aid of Royal Voluntary Service’s ‘Good Neighbours in South Ayrshire’ project raised £386. The service to support anyone over the age of 65, aims to reduce isolation and enable older people to lead as fulfilled and rich lives as they choose.
All in all a great evening for singers, musicians and audience, giving everyone a sense of excitement and anticipation of Christmas.