Christmas music and carols

Calder Valley music lovers were put in festive spirits on Sunday evening with a splendid performance given by Todmorden Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Concannon Hodges.

They were joined for a programme of Christmas music and carols at Todmorden Town Hall by Todmorden Choral Society directed by Daniel Bath and the Youth Choir lead by Richard Pomfret. Glen Cannon acted as compere for the evening and made everybody chuckle with his amusing anecdotes.

The evening began with a rousing rendition of Hark the Herald Angels Sing in which the audience heartily joined in. This was followed by a selection from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, performed by the orchestra; the final waltz being the highlight with the strings producing a delightfully warm sound.

The audience was also treated to some lively ‘barbershop’ style arrangements of Winter Wonderland and Makin’ Whoopee from the Youth Choir, which got everybody’s toes tapping!

Rather touchingly, it was announced that the arrangement of Little Donkey was made by conductor Richard Pomfret’s father many years ago. It was marvellous to hear such enthusiastic singing. What a great sound they made, especially when the girls were joined by the boys singing tenor and bass.

There were further highlights to the evening. The Choral Society’s performance of Berlioz’s Shepherd’s Farewell was sonorous and gentle, and it was an added bonus when they hummed the ‘rustic’ instrumental interludes as well. The orchestra’s warmth of sound and lilting rhythm were perfect for Strauss’s Blue Danube Waltz and everybody enjoyed the witty medley of Christmas carols by Leroy Anderson.

There was only one possible way to round off such a festive evening, with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. It certainly was!