THE GIFT OF MUSIC FROM A CHOIR TO A COMMUNITY IN 2025

 

What could be more enjoyable than the company of friends amid festive surrounds, a diverse repertoire of instrumental, dance and choral music by prodigious musicians, tappers and an extraordinarily accomplished Choir? Nothing…that’s what!  And anybody who was not at the Somerset Civic Centre on the afternoon of 7^th December at the Esk Community Choir’s 35^th Annual Christmas Concert will have robbed themselves of an occasion that surely would have enriched their lives.

The sun painted  the sky blue on this unseasonally sultry December morning, and without a storm in sight, concert goers found their places within the welcome relief of the Civic Centre’s foyer, a room festooned with a magnificent Christmas tree, a kaleidoscope of colour, craft, cookies and condiments ready to fill curious customers’ Christmas wish lists and a special appearance by Santa Claus doing the rounds for happy snappers to insert that special someone or two on their annual Christmas Cards; all these reflecting the sights of the season. However, it was inside the Auditorium where that variety reached another level with the Sounds of the Season. 

At the outset, an eloquent address by Choir President, Marina Crichton acknowledged the Choir’s gift to the Somerset Civic Centre of a data projector creating dynamic digital backdrops to enhance audience appreciation at any number of events.  Then followed the presentation by Alexis to the Esk Community Choir’s newest life member, a very humble but deserved and bewildered Felice Evans.  Behind a closed curtain, the choristers came together on stage to eventually join in song with Roland and Richard whose uplifting duet Jesus is Born set the scene for the musical treats to follow.

The boys from Full Spectrum Brass both in collaboration with the Choir and as a quartet were a masterclass of brass and a demonstration of why they are a brass ensemble in high demand.   The string ensemble, Strings and Things are fast becoming Choir concert regulars, each and together creating once more a symphony of the hypnotic sounds of some of the great composers. A glittering performance by the Somerset Tappers was both a triumph and a captivating display of dance by a group of talented ladies with so much life in their years.  

Those three recalcitrant fairies, on the other hand, whilst they may have interrupted the introduction to a classic performance of DeCesare’s arrangement of Jingle Bell Rock by three masters of their crafts, Alexis on piano,  and  flautists Ruth and Suzanne, they did manage to open a window into the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, a March 29^th concert by choir members to be performed in 2026. 

Adding more spice to the variety, the fabulous Glenrock Ukes were a stimulus for some upbeat audience participation and under the tutelage of Suzanne, Recorder Resonance entertained with gusto dispelling any scepticism of this much maligned instrument. Adam Smith’s band of fine musicians from the Esk and Toogoolawah State and High Schools was a showcase of burgeoning talent and enthusiasm guaranteeing smiles and great applause from an appreciative audience.  Adding another level of artistic talent to an already prolific lineup were two gifted illustration artists, SASI’s Shirley Gregor and from Fernvale Artists group, Sue White both of whom throughout the concert quietly created on cardstock their artistic reflections of the songs that filled the auditorium; these later to be auctioned under the hammer of Ray White’s engaging but persuasive Josiah Jensen, the proceeds to be donated to the Esk State School’s restoration following October’s devastating hail storm.

And in between all these, shepherded by emcee extraordinaire, Sean Choat, including the drawing of some amazing raffle prizes, the members of the Esk Community Choir thrilled concert goers with some Christmas Carol magic.  Sir John Rutter’s We Wish You a Merry Christmas; a Merry Christmas Mozart arrangement by Jay Althouse and under Kathleen’s consummate musical direction, Sing With Festive Cheer is just what the ladies’ choir did.  The vibrant voices of the men’s choir soared as they led the choir into O Holy Night’s climactic choruses and Bob Hardy’s mellifluous bass voice as he ushered the choir in a unification of harmony with Strings and Things, Full Spectrum Brass, Suzanne on flute, the choir’s all-round consummate musician Ruth on keyboard and with Alexis at the music stand, sculpting the collaborative performance, The Holy City was the perfect inspiring finale to another wonderful  Christmas Concert.

This 2025 Christmas Concert offered more than a festive performance.  It was a celebration of community spirit, of musical collaboration and the unquestioned talents of a musical director with an unwavering passion for her choir.  Thank you, Alexis, for filling our lives with harmony, hope and the joy of singing together.

By: Sue Walker