Love Came Down at Christmas
After a long absence due to Covid the Ashbourne Singers managed to pull off their Christmas Concert this year with many safeguards in place.
The first half of the concert looked back over the past year and paid homage to the seasonal events of Easter, summer, Harvest and Remembrance. The rousing rendition of Freedom is Coming got the evening off to a flying start along with stamps and claps.
A more reflective mood was struck with I Watch the Sunrise and Were You There; Two lovely arrangements by musical director Steve Duckworth. The Young Singers excelled and there were beautiful solos from Alice and Hannah.
Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of Like a Singing Bird was followed by a virtuoso performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No 8 “Pathetique”on the piano by the Singers’ accompanist Joshua Phillips
Rutter’s All Things Bright and Beautiful reminded us about how good things really are if we look around us. In Flanders Fields reminded us of the sacrifices that have been and are still being made; another confident performance by the young singers.
Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of the spiritual Peace Like A River flowed along very nicely! Labi Siffre’s Something So Strong closed the first half, sung very enthusiastically by the whole choir.
There was a short interval during which the audience were treated to piano music by Joshua and Flora. Then it was Christmas all the way . . .
YAS’s It’s the Most Wonderful Time of The Year reminded us all of the hope that it will be, despite all the restrictions. Love Came Down at Christmas by Alexander L’Estrange was a small group rendition a couple of years ago but this time the whole choir took it on with effective four part harmony.
Bob Chilcott’s O Little Town, followed in quick succession along with Good Enough for Him, Mary Did You Know, Past Three O’Clock, Curley Hark and Hope of Heaven (YAS).
The beautiful This Christmastide (Jessye’s Carol) put us all in the perfect magical Christmas mood. After thanks were given, the whole choir ended the concert with Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, a wish sincerely felt by everyone.
The fact that this concert took place at all is a testament to the commitment of Steve Duckworth and the choir members who despite everything wanted to perform again and feel good about things.
