REVIEW

Weymouth Choral Society and Weymouth Concert Brass's Christmas concert Tidings of Joy

St John's Church, Weymouth

This was certainly an evening concert to put you in the festive mood and its broad appeal was evident in a full house ranging in age from babes in arms to octogenarians.

The delightful programme of music so skilfully assembled by musical director Helen Brind was beautifully enhanced by the superb seasonal readings selected and delivered by special guest Dame Joan Bakewell.

Soloist Hazel Mayall started the traditional opening carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Following a few carols, Dame Joan Bakewell read her first two selections to the delight of the Weymouth audience.

Weymouth Concert Brass then performed two numbers and so unfolded a well -crafted programme of variety to keep the audience entertained.

Throughout the concert the singing was of high standard but what particularly stood out was ‘Silent Night’ so sweetly started by soloist Judy Walbrin , ‘Past 3 a Clock’ and ‘Gaudete’ sung with energy and great precision.

Joan Bakewell kept the audience enthralled. Her reading from Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ met with an audible ‘aah’ response from the audience, such was the power of her performance.

Demonstrating the versatility of the Choral Society, members Wendy Frost and Matthew Bakewell swopped roles and played hand bells for ‘Carol of the Bells’; a wonderful performance with choir and bells in sync and ending in the quietening of the chorus to allow the bells to chime out once more.

Congratulations to Helen Brind for an excellent programme of music. None of this would have been possible without the adept accompaniment of Louise Dukes, who as always played with empathy and dexterity

Angela Elliott