On a cold winters evening – snow in the air outside – what better than the fabulous sound of the Farnham Youth Choir to warm the spirit.
Inside Farnham’s United Reform Church the candles were glowing and the newly decorated Christmas trees were sparkling gold and russet red. A beautiful setting for the first of the season’s Farnham Youth Choir’s Christmas concerts.
Throughout the concert, meaningful readings were interspersed with wonderful singing. We enjoyed beautiful moments of purity such as the first verse solo of Once in Royal David’s City as well as the more dramatic pieces including Joubert’s Torches and Britten’s This Little Babe. In between we were treated to favourites including the upbeat melody of Rutter’s Star Carol and the accurate, chiming tones of the Carol of the Bells.
The Holly and the Ivy showcased the many wonderful individual voices in the FYC choir and the audience carols were topped off by stunning descants – how wonderful to have so many voices soaring up high above those of us watching and singing along.
Jo Tomlinson, FYC’s Musical Director, brought the readings to an end with Dickens’s festive Fezziwig and the lilting King Jesus hath a Garden with its “cymbal, trump and timbal and the tender soothing flute” left us feeling well and truly warmed up for Christmas tide. The evening was nicely rounded off with mulled wine and mince pies for everyone.
Review by Sara Acworth
