From the first notes of Leroy Anderson's ‘Christmas Festival Overture’, you could sense that Foden’s were in fine form under guest conductor Richard Evans.
Festive fayre
Mezzo soprano Susanne Dymott was backed sympathetically in the festive fayre of, ‘White Christmas’, ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ and ‘O Holy Night’, whilst the 27 children of Shout Aloud aged from 6 to 13, sang their hearts out with ‘Sheep Sheep’ and ‘Away in a Manger’.
Foden’s were also joined by the 90 ladies of the Orpheus Singers under MD David Clark as they provided excellent musical entertainment with, ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’, ‘Deo Gracias’ and ‘He smiles within His Cradle’.
Beautiful rendition
Mark Wilkinson's beautiful rendition of ‘The Rocking Song’ left very few dry eyes in the audience before the band set feet tapping with a seasonal sporting reminder of the BBC programme ‘Ski Sunday’ with ‘Pop Looks Bach’ before concluding the first half with Sandy Smith's engaging ‘Santaclaustrophobia’ - played with a real fizz and finesse.
Look East
The compere for the evening was Janine Machin, the BBC ‘Look East’ news presenter, whose great uncle had been principal trombone of Foden’s many years ago and taught her to play the cornet at the age of 6.
When she came to the stage wearing a Foden’s jacket holding her own cornet to announce Mark Wilkinson’s solo we all wondered what was about to happen.
Ever the showman Richard Evans told her that she had to audition before she could play with the band and to the delight of a packed audience Janine played a few notes which brought the house down!
Flyer
Foden’s got the second half off to a flyer with ‘Midnight Sleighride’ before Richard Evans led the communal carol singing before a lovely rendition of ‘The Snow Waltz’ and ‘Sleigh Ride’, which proved great entertainment.
The Orpheus Singers added to the enjoyment with, ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’, ‘How Far is it to Bethlehem’, ‘Nativity Carol’ and ‘Tomorrow will be my Dancing Day’, before Shout Aloud wowed the audience with ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ and ‘Rocking around the Christmas Tree’, all sung without words - a real treat under MD Hannah Adam.
Outstanding
Suzanne Dymott with the sensitive accompaniment of Pippa Hamilton sang ‘The Little Road to Bethlehem’ and ‘Sleep Holy Child’, before with the sympathetic backing of the band, ‘The Christmas Song’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’.
The final soloist was the outstanding John Barber on trombone, who delighted with his wonderful playing of ‘When a Child is Born’, before a joint, ‘A Christmas Fantasy’ brought the evening to a superb conclusion.
Martin Blessett
