RINGING IN THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS WITH THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

What is it at this time of year that could be greater than a landscape of twinkling lights and the sounds of Christmas Carols? … those wonderous songs of our childhood spreading the joyous sounds of Christmas; the reminders of this time of year that never seem to age.  It was these Christmas Carols once again sung by a jolly band of Roving Carollers from the Esk Community Choir who lifted the spirits of all those who gathered at Esk’s Memorial Park on Saturday 2^nd December for the Lighting of the Christmas Tree.  Why even some of town’s first responders couldn’t resist the urge to join in with the Carollers as they spread their joy to their world.

And so it was that after a good night’s ‘sleep in heavenly peace’ that the group were back, this time to join with all the members of the Esk Community Choir for their 33^rd Annual Christmas Concert, this the choir’s doorway to the Christmas Season.

On Sunday, December 3^rd, it was just plain hot. The weather gurus who had been predicting a long hot summer had got it right.  However, there was nothing but high spirits as concert goers found their places in the cool of the Somerset Civic Centre, eager for an afternoon of musical entertainment.  

Following Choir President Marina’s formal ‘welcome to country’, to audience and to our exceptional emcee, Councillor Sean Choat, it was the brilliance of a ‘Fanfare for Christmas’ interwoven with heavenly sounds of Bell’Amore’s assortment of handbells which set the bar for the variety of magical entertainment to come.

‘Handbells?’, you well may ask?  The art of handbell ringing with an assortment of specially designed and tuned bells is centuries old.  However, the Handbell Choir, Bella’more, who dazzled an audience at this year’s Christmas Concert has been together barely three years, their performances, spellbinding as they transported the room of ardent admirers on a magnificent musical journey with their art of ringing. If Bella’more’s mission is to provide magical experiences through live performances that resonates with audiences creating sounds that inspire happiness and joy then it was mission accomplished!

Accordingly, the beautiful carols sung by the choir, some well-loved, others new to many, left no-one wanting.  The sublime harmonies by trio, Bob Hardy, Grace Crichton, and Patrina McLeod prefaced the choir’s entry for ‘I Hear God’s Music’ and stepping up to tag team with Alexis for the joyous ‘Sing With Festive Cheer’, Kathleen’s conducting competence further evidenced the capabilities and versatility within this choir.

Nurtured by Alexis, the Choir men are fast becoming an accomplished choral force on the concert scene. The powerful lyrics and a masterful performance this day of ‘Anthem’ from the musical ‘Chess’ surely moving many heartstrings.

The ‘Accidentals’ are members of the choir whose musical talents extend so much further than their voices.  They are a burgeoning instrumental ensemble of flutes, pianos, clarinet, guitar, and together with the paring of Bob Hardy and Richard Skinner for a sublime vocal performance of ‘Panis Angelicus’, followed by Anna flipping from piano to performance mode with Annie’s iconic tune ‘Tomorrow’, the ‘Accidentals’ confidently put a little bit of ‘extra’ into the anything but ‘ordinary’.

The trio of Alexis on piano and flautists, Ruth Skippen and Suzanne Clemence have become regulars sharing the gifts of their prodigious talents on the concert scene.  On this day with their masterful performance of ‘Riff Raff Rock’ they became a quartet with the addition of proficient percussionist, Tom Byrne as he ‘beat out that rhythm on a drum’.

A Christmas Concert would not be complete without an arrangement of the popular ’Christmas is Coming’ delivered with gusto by a snappy sextet of singers. Nor would it be complete without a grand finale.  A heavenly rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ followed by the uplifting Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, became the perfect epilogue to this 33^rd Christmas Concert story and a climactic culmination to the Esk Community Choir’s 45^th anniversary year.

With uplifted hearts, gifts, goodies, and raffle prizes won and the sounds of Christmas still resonating, concert goers gathered for a delectable afternoon tea, all in no doubt of the wonderful choir performances they can expect in 2024.

We of the Esk Community Choir are so grateful to Ruth Skippen’s unquestioned loyalty and her ability to step up as accompanist so capably filling a void when needed.  We are also constantly indebted to Alexis whom we are so fortunate to have as our Choir Director;  for her musical expertise, patience and undeniable belief in her choir;  who often opens her home and always her heart to allow us the privilege of being a part of her world for a little while each week.

By: Sue Walker