After having Christmas thrust upon us since the end of September, it was a welcome relief to experience an oasis of calm in St. Benedict’s on Friday 15th December. This was provided by Voices of Tantallon, a choir of up to 12 voices. They performed a wide range of songs including a strong festive element – particularly in the second half.
Although ticket sales in advance of the concert had been a little slow, we had 60 people in church to enjoy a selection of thoroughly amazing items from across the musical spectrum. We started with the popular classic Sh-Boom, moved on
to Hallelujah, progressed via Ave Maria (and other pieces) to All that Jazz, finishing the first half with Santa Claus is coming to town.
After the interval, Tantallon moved into a slightly more serious – but no less enjoyable – mood. They commenced with Good King Wenceslas, where the audience were encouraged to take part. After a Christmas Blessing (from Ireland) we were treated to an unusual “duet” between the choir, who were singing First Noël, and the pianist who was playing Pachabel’s Cannon in D .
This really did display the experience and capability of the group.
The “seriousness” was then abandoned while Trish Mellor read and enacted
the Joyce Grenfell classic about the teacher preparing her class for the Nativity Play. This took some of us back a few years down memory lane. The choir then moved, with great skill, through songs from Enya (Amid the Falling Snow) Harry Belafonte (When a Child was Born) Elvis Presley (Blue Christmas) and modified Morecambe & Wise Bring me Christmas). They finished with White Christmas where the audience were again encouraged to take part.
Altogether it was an excellent evening’s entertainment
When can we ask Tantallon to come again?
Finally, sincere thanks must go to the following:-
• Larry & Linda Smith (Tantallon) and indeed the whole choir.
• The Music Festival Committee
• and the Social Committee
for all their efforts and help towards making this a truly memorable occasion.