Fifteen stalwart singers supported the Chichester October meet-up. Alan was vaguely in charge as usual and led the group through a repertoire of Christmas and Winter songs in readiness for the forthcoming Christmas performances. The aim was to make sure that everyone was confident with the melodies of songs that might be used to sing out. It was great to see Julia – one of our newer recruits and Amaryllis was again very welcome, prompting Alan on tunes he’d forgotten and providing beautiful harmony lines to many songs. At times as a solo performer!
An astounding 18 songs were sung through the evening, the first half including: Holly and the Ivy, Copper’s Christmas Song, While Shepherds Watched (Pentonville version) and Poor Froze Out Gardeners (as a break from Christmas!) Feeling confident, the group sang I Heard a Bird Sing as a round and ventured as far as three parts without collapsing in disarray which earned a round of applause from other folk in the bar area. Hark the Herald Angels and The Angel Gabriel carols completed the first half.
In the second half, the Christmas theme resumed with Masters in This Hall and Deck the Halls which inspired some impromptu dancing by some of the young audience in the bar. The evening continued with Sweet Bells, Fields Lie Silent, and a further round – Child of Light and Hey Ho Winter Snow which again proved successful, even in the face of an ambitious attempt to sing them both together. Gather Round the Fire proved a popular addition to the repertoire of rounds which had recently been introduced at Worthing. Where Stormy Winds do Blow, Sussex Carol (with the five men present putting on a very good performance in their solo parts), The Woodcutters Song, and The Falmer Carol completed the Christmas theme.
It just remained to sing the Parting Song to round off this very full evening of song.
Anne S
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