IT’S THE quintessential sound of Christmas and it’s coming to Wokingham this Sunday.
All Saints Church in Wiltshire Road will be staging a performance of Handel’s Messiah this Sunday – but the organisers say that they are planning something a bit different.
The new approach is not to the music – All Saints says it is looking forward to a concert of the same very high standard as last year – but it will be sharing the proceeds with the Army Benevolent Fund.
The soloists, Ellen Boylan, Michaela Parry, Edward Hughes and James Oldfield will perform with the Gandolpho Players, led by Eleanor Harrison, Richard McVeigh (organ) and the choir of All Saints Church Wokingham.
The conductor is Richard Smith, the Director of Music at All Saints Church.
The church’s rector, the Revd Canon David Hodgson, said: “This is a magnificent opportunity to come and hear some well-loved music in a wonderful setting and see how just how brilliantly young musicians perform.”
And the church welcomes anyone who has ever wondered about singing in a church choir – they say it shows just how good their sound can be.
All Saints Church maintains a long and happy tradition of choral music. Many of the choristers have taken up prestigious university scholarships and some have entered the music profession.
In addition to the children’s music club and choir, All Saints Church runs a Nave Choir, an unauditioned group where many adult singers discover, or re-discover, their love for choral singing. The church is also very grateful for the support of many skilled adult singers who participate in some of the services and concerts like this.
The concert is at 4.30pm, after the rather more hectic Reading Toy Run through the town, and there will be mulled wine and other Christmas refreshments in the interval.
Tickets cost £12.50 or free for under 19s.
For more details, or to book, log on to www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk
