Conductor: Charles Fyffe
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Monday 15th December

This highly enjoyable festive concert offered warmth, colour and emotional depth in combining a balanced selection of seasonal favourites, reflective moments and solo performances – all in aid of the Brain Tumour Charity.

‘Majesty’  by Thierry Deleruyelle opened the evening in appropriate fashion, followed by a beautifully shaped rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’  by flugel soloist Jackie Grier. It set the standard of what was to come. 

Seasonal feel

The seasonal feel was enhanced with ‘The Spirit of Christmas’,  before reflective introspective came with ‘A Little Prayer’,  sensitively played by baritone soloist Richard Ruddock. A whiplash ‘Sleigh Ride’  (with horse-masked whinny) was great fun, before solo euphonium Jonathan Sproule gave a seriously impressive account of ‘Harlequin’.  ‘Jingle Bells’  closed the first half with plenty of cheer.

A whiplash ‘Sleigh Ride’  (with horse-masked whinny) was great fun, before solo euphonium Jonathan Sproule gave a seriously impressive account of ‘Harlequin’.  ‘Jingle Bells’  closed the first half with plenty of cheer.

There was much more to enjoy after the break, with ‘Let the Bells Ring’  immediately re-establishing the festive momentum. Principal cornet Nathan Thompson was a fine lead for ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’  before further contrast came with ‘Coventry Carol’.

Different dimension

Audience participation came with ‘Schneewaltzer’,  with a confident timpani contribution and tubular bells added impact to ‘Thy Tribute Bring’.

Welcome guests the Lagan Seahorses Male Voice Choir added a different dimension to the evening, whilst poignancy came with a band member sharing their personal experience of being diagnosed with a brain tumour. 

A fine evening concluded with an enthusiastic ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’, which ensured that the audience left for home uplifted.

Alan Michael