The 40-minute centre work was The Three Ships by Paul Mealor, which showcased the combined Prep, Junior and Senior School choirs, along with the narrators, and the full orchestral accompaniment.
The evening started with a welcome from the Chamber Choir, who performed a selection of Christmas melodies in the entrance foyer. The formal concert began with the rousing Christmas Eve/Sarajovo by Bob Philip, performed by our First Orchestra.
Our Senior String Ensemble continued the festive atmosphere with Sibelius’ Andante Festivo and were then joined by our Wind Band to perform The Shepherd’s Farewell by Berlioz, which featured beautiful choral work, sang by our Senior School choirs.
Our Wind Band then changed the tempo and mood with their Cowboy Christmas by Jeff Simons. This was a very entertaining performance, with a full percussion complement. Our Dollar Academy Jazz Orchestra (DAJO) featured a selection of popular Christmas hits for their slot in the programme, with pupils Eve and Lily (both Form V) on vocals.
All the choirs had solo items and the songs ranged from the Prep School’s comical Should’ve Been a North Pole Elf to the sensitive Chamber Choir’s O Magnum Mysterium by Poulenc.
Form I and II added a rhythm selection to their catchy There’s a Song in the Air and the Mixed Voice Choir chose a clever arrangement of Ding Dong Merrily on High to illustrate their vocal dexterity.
Tilly (Form IV) played a beautiful flute countermelody to the Junior Choir’s Christmas Melody, however it was the combined choir voices in The Three Ships that concluded this festive performance and delivered yet another memorable Christmas concert for the appreciative audience.
Well done to all the pupils and staff whose hard work made this event possible.
