Elstow Abbey - Monday 1st Dec 2014

The concert programme:

After the interval the programme continued with a Christmas theme. The congregation was invited to join the Choir in singing some well known popular Christmas Carols. These were interspersed by The Alma Singers performing some less well known carols. These included O Holy Night and Away in a Manger sung to a less well known tune. The Vicar requested an encore of Silent Night as he had not heard that arrangement before.

For more information about Elstow Abbey click the link. You can also visit the previous concert at the Abbey which took place in July 2014.

For the second time this year the Alma Singers were invited by The Friends of Elstow Abbey to help them raise funds for the maintenance of the church. Our Musical Director was Dominic Keating-Roberts and our Piano Accompanist was Tessa Wood.

Choir members arrived early at the church to rehearse. We were welcomed and offered hot and cold drinks. Some of the audience were already in their seats. They sat and watched the rehearsal.

The first half of this concert featured traditional and popular songs - see the programme reproduced below.

Joining us in the first half of this concert was the Samuel Whitbread Academy Chamber Choir directed by Dominic Keating-Roberts. They sang Britten's Hymn to the Virgin and  two pieces by Pentatonix (often abbreviated as PTX). Pentatonix is an American capella group of five vocalists originating from Arlington, Texas. 

At the interval audience and choir enjoyed some excellent mince pies washed down with hot/cold drinks or some very good red or white wine.