The culmination of over three months of intense rehearsals was brought to fruition on Wednesday 18th December 2024 in St Michael’s Church, Somerton. The dedication and professionalism of our Musical Director, Alice Dicker, along with Sheena Smith, our talented and unflappable Accompanist, really shone through. Together they have raised the profile and confidence of the choir.  Pieces that some of us thought would be beyond our capability were carefully and meticulously rehearsed.

Alice is bold in her approach and if something is clearly not working she is flexible enough to change tack. An example is the repositioning of the tenor and bass sections to the front of the choir, which only happened at our dress rehearsal. The difference it made was transformational both to choir members and consequently to the sound the audience experienced.

Speaking of the audience, what a fabulous crowd they were, over 200 people joining in the communal carols with such enthusiasm and gusto and showing such appreciation of the pieces performed by the choir.

Starting with the traditional Once in Royal David’s City, the first verse beautifully rendered by choir member, Victoria Osborne, then the whole church filled with the amazing sound of choir and audience together, thus setting the scene for a great evening of Christmas music.

Our theme for the concert was The Light of Christmas, paving the way for some beautiful, poignant and fun pieces, particularly the wonderful ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ by Morton Lauridsen. During rehearsals Alice told us she would not be happy until we made her cry (in a good way, of course). Did we succeed? Singing unaccompanied and with the acoustics of the church lending a hand, did we detect a small glint of a tear in her eye….?

Some very local pieces were included:  ‘The Nativity Star’ a poem by Cath Langdon, a South Petherton Choir member and arranged by Alice; ‘Here is the Little Door’ composed by former Mid Wessex Singers’ Musical Director, Owain Park.

The Gloucester Wassail along with the traditional Czech ‘Zither Carol’ and our encore of Jingle Bells raised the roof, all interspersed with Christmas readings from choir members.

Much appreciated half-time refreshments were served by choir members with a busy bar serving wine and soft drinks.  Altogether a magnificent evening of song, communal singing and friendship.  What a fantastic start to Christmas!