A great afternoon event raised over £300 for our charity Mission Direct.  I want to put into this article a report on the afternoons event penned by our new Choir Manager Ann Shaw.  She has captured perfectly the events of the afternoon and I thank her for that.  I have also copied a YouTube link to the song she mentions – 12 Days of Christmas written by one of our new members Jon Swindle.  Jon has been a great addition to the choir and brings to his involvement a great sense of enthusiasm and ideas.  I even hear rumours that his ‘other half’ is also joining in the new year so along with his mum, who is one of our 4 Lady Tenors, mentioned in the song, it’s a real family affair.

SingAlong for Christmas – Ann Shaw – Choir Managersinghealthy - Christmas 2012 singalong

Members and their children were in good voice for our Christmas social event at the Ratepayers Hall at Finchampstead this afternoon. The hall was decked and the refreshments were seasonal as we welcomed lots of members and their families to join in the karaoke style Christmas singing. The charity event went well and as always the generosity of those present will be well appreciated by those being helped by our charity ‘Mission Direct’.

We were treated to a duet from Sophie and Rachel and their lovely singing was well received. I watched a little chap of no more than 3 years old entranced by the sound of these two talented ladies being accompanied by Dorian on the guitar. I think we will have to wait a few years before we can get the little chap into the Choir!

Christmas is for the children and it was lovely to hear the children’s voices joining together to sing a few songs and then a couple of brave youngsters singing solos.

I have to say one of my favourite moments was the singing of our men in their rendition of ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ with a choir twist. How many e-mails? How many weeks to learn a song? AND how many ladies who sing with the tenor voices? Well done men. It’s great to hear you singing the tune for a change!

An entertaining afternoon and my thanks go to those members who helped set up the event, brought seasonal food and drink to enjoy and to those who helped clear away at the end. The raffle raised a goodly amount and thanks to those who had contributed prizes and to Lesley for putting the gifts together into interesting packages.

 12 Days of Christmas – written by Jon Swindle

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxxu_5lhfg0[/embedyt]

So a good afternoon, great singing, some new faces at one of our events and a decent amount raised for our charity.  May I take this opportunity to wish everyone in and connected to the choir a very happy Christmas and a truly peaceful and happy new year.

See you all in 2013.

D