Christmas celebrations at annual festive concert
St Mary’s Parish Church in Horsham hosted Collyer’s annual Christmas concert.
The evening began with J.S Bach’sSonataforViolinSoloNo. 1inGMinor,BMV1001–1.Adagio, Once in Royal David’s City, followed by Rv’d. Canon Lisa Barnett’s welcome and opening prayer.
After a reading of ‘The Birth of Jesus Christ’ by Lizzie Macaulay, the congregation enjoyedtheCoventryCarol(arr.M Shaw) and Gershwin’s Lullaby for Strings (arr. Ben Dowsett). ‘TheShepherdsandtheAngels’ was read by Beth Flanders, followed by Leontovych’s Carol of the Bells (arr. Ben Dowsett), Adagio and Allegro from ConcertoinDMajor(G.P.Telemann arr. K. Van-Arsdalen), Purcell’s Rondeau from Abdelazer (arr. C. Madeira) and folllowed by O come all ye faithful (Oakley).
Beth Flander’s reading of ‘Visitors from the East’, was followedbyLaFolia(D.Banney) and Hallelujah. Principal Dan LodgethenreadMyChristmas Wish for You.
The “White Winter Cup Song” (R. Peckfold and A.P. Carter) and Hark the Herald Angels Sing was followed by Rev’s Canon Lisa Barnett’s blessing. The evening closed with Sleighride for Strings (Peter Martin).
The Collyer’s choir, directedbyMarkBradbury,featured:
Bryony Banks, Feli Beissel, Michael Cleaver, Joshua Crabb, Bertie Cripps; Grace De La Torre, Daisy England, Marce Hamer, Kalina Heathcote; FarrahHenderson,HollyHudson, Isabella Laudiano-Dray, Sam Ledger; Charlotte Man, Elise
Marsh,JessMarshall,EllaMcIntyre-Granger; Lucy Phillips; JessicaRidgers,JenniferSkipp, Casie So, Joe Steel; Adrien Taylor;ScarlettTownsend,Morgan Van Yperen, Finn Wilkie and MaddieWright.Theorganwas played by John Newton, with
Alison Sutton on the piano.
The orchestra, conducted by Ben Dowsett, comprised: Feli Beissel, Molly Betts, Penelope Brooks, Bertie Cripps; Roseanna Graves, Natalia Harrison-Herrero,ClorisLau,John Newton;LucyPhillips,Jennifer
Skipp, Joe Steel, Adrien Taylor and Sophie Tietz.
The Sinfonia was directed by Adam Barker and featured Feli Beissel, Roseanna Graves, Phoebe Hewitt, Elise Lancaster; Anneli Matthews, Leanne Morley, Phillips, Jennifer
Skipp; Georgia Smith and Sophie Tietz.
Sound recording was by Dan Page and Collyer’s Linda MacLeman worked tirelessly behindthescenes.Membersof the RCU collected for the British Red Cross.