‘Anticipating Christmas’ by SMSG band and SMSG church handbell ringers has become an annual concert in the church school. It is always informal, relaxed and fun and this year was no exception. Our programme was an exact repeat of the concert we had given in the United Reformed Church in Pottersbury the previous Saturday (when MK Acapella was performing in SMSG).
The audience at the ‘anticipating Christmas’ concert sit in friendly groups around tables in the hall and the band members always decorate our music stands with tinsel, wear Christmas themed hats and for one particular piece red noses, except those of us who can’t see our music beyond the noses! This year I presented the band with a toy Rudolf (with flashing nose) to mark 50 years since the story of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was turned into an animated stop-motion Christmas special which has become a classic. There was quite a snow filled theme to the music programme (maybe to ward off snow in England?).
Festive David and his clarinet
SMSG band decorated for Christmas
SMSG band decorated for Christmas
Anna playing chime bars
Jude and Steve with festive headgear
Ellie the red nosed violinist
Chime bars for Rudolf the red nosed Reindeer
Our programme:
SMSG band
- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
- Santa Claus is coming to town
- The Snowman - Walking in the Air
Singers
- Flying Free (Dave on piano and Alison on flute)
SMSG band
- In the Bleak Midwinter (305)
SMSG Handbells
- Deck the Hall
- A Starry Night
- Jingle Bells
SMSG band
- Sleigh Ride
- Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer
INTERVAL
SMSG band
- Schneewalzer
- Mistletoe and wine
- Mary's Boy Child
SMSG Handbells
- Away in a manger
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Silent Night
SMSG band
- Have yourself a Merry little Christmas
- Little Town of Bethlehem
- Merry Christmas Shuffle
The concert was free (with free refreshments), the raffle raised £55.50 for the organ fund. Thank you Lesley for organizing it, all those who helped serve refreshments and run the raffle and to SMSG church school for the use of the hall.
