Galenicals Carol Concert Saturday 8th December
A large audience, practically filling St Paul’s Church in Clifton, assembled on Saturday to hear an exquisite concert of carols, festive music and a few non-festive pieces (if you are a Grinch). Under the choir’s conductor (Aaron Grice), we were treated to a programme that was varied and included several pieces for audience participation which was greatly enjoyed. There were choir pieces, some orchestral pieces, several solos including a rendition of “The Christmas Song” which was technically challenging (I suspect) but wonderful to listen to. Alice Watt took the first solo spot and treated us to a spirited free flowing rendition of “Sleigh Ride” during which I felt I was holding the reins of the sleigh. The orchestra played the unseasonal but very enjoyable “Overture” from “The Mikado” and firm favourites like Chilcott’s “In the Bleak Midwinter” and Aaron’s arrangement of “O Holy Night” rounded it all off. The sopranos floated effortlessly up to the rafters with their descants in “O come all ye Faithful” and” Hark the Herald”. It was a very enjoyable 90 minutes and a fairly respectable collection was taken for Médecins Sans Frontières.
If you missed it, they will perform again before Easter.
The orchestra played the Mikado’s Overture.