Hedge End Village Hall was packed to capacity for this year’s Christmas offering.  Much fun and enjoyment was had by all.   Irish dancers from the Forrestall School of dancing, entertained us with their fast, complicated dance steps and they shone not only because of their spectacular costumes, but also because of their abundant talent.  Rory Staff, a great favourite of ours and of our audiences, delighted us with jazzy carols and a wonderful, lilting rendition of ‘Summertime’.  We were also lucky enough to have Callum Litchfield and Jamie Kimathi Milburn perform several songs for us and playing guitar and flute.  Two very entertaining, light-hearted readings were given by Janet Moody and Ann Lee, adding to the festive flavour of the event and making everyone laugh.

This year, we extended a warm welcome to our new Music Director Lillian Sedilles, who has worked hard with us to produce pieces of breath taking beauty.  A varied programme of traditional sing along carols for the audience, interspersed with interesting set pieces was exceeding well received.  The Ukranian Sleigh song was particularly well liked, with its fast rhythmic pace, ending in a loud ‘Hey’!   ‘Bethlehem’ provided a quieter, more reflective tone, with beautiful harmonies and rising and falling dynamics.  The concerts ended with our much loved ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’, for which we received a huge ovation. Thanks also to Chris Alison, our pianist, ably assisted by his children Martha and Zac turning pages and also to David Farnell our Assistant MD.

The matinee concert was of course attended by a special jovial man, with a white beard, red, carrying a very large sack, full of presents for the younger members of the audience.  Mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed by all.

We look forward to, dare we say it, our Christmas 2017 concerts!

Friday night is ‘Music Night’ – and so it was on 3 June at the Berry Theatre, Hedge End.  The New Music Makers’ summer concert entitled ‘Pop In’ to Summer (to reflect the Mary Poppins medley) was not only a veritable music extravaganza but it also coincided with the BBC Music Day.  The choir sang to a packed audience and the interval gave everyone the opportunity to meet and have a drink in the plush bar and to buy raffle tickets.

This year’s concert was truly eclectic, with music ranging from Karl Jenkins’ Cantate Domino and a sublime mix of Believe and Ave Maria, to a Mary Poppins medley, Elton John’s ‘Your Song’, Pharryl Williams’ ‘Happy’ and music from several films and musicals, not to mention jazz and gospel numbers.  Michael Goldthorpe, our Music Director and David Farnell, our Assistant Music Director both brought musical razzamatazz to the evening and we were accompanied by Chris Allison on the piano, ably assisted by his son Zak, as page turner.

A New Music Makers’ night out is not only about the choir, as we support talented young musicians by involving them in our concerts.  This year, Rory Staff joined us on saxaphone and clarinet. Rory belongs to the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra and has played with the jazz saxophonists John Surman and John Toussaint, the jazz pianist Joseph and the award winning singer Leanne Carrol, so we knew we were in for a treat with his jazz set.  We were also joined by the multi talented Bethany Mayers. Bethany is a member of the Hampshire County Orchestra and the National Youth Chamber Orchestra.  She has recently returned from a music tour in Switzerland and from playing at the Royal College of Music.  Her chosen pieces were Chopin’s Waltz in B minor, Op 69, No 2, on the piano and Fool Contrast, on the trumpet, by Tony Cliff.   After completing her music studies at Peter Symmonds College, Bethany hopes to pursue her music studies at one of the UK’s top music conservatoires.

Our Christmas concert is on Saturday 10 December (2.30pm and 7.30 pm) at Hedge End Village Hall and we are pleased to announce that we will be under the baton of our new Music Director, Lillian Sediles from the USA, who takes over from Michael Goldthorpe, whose professional musical expertise over the past five years has helped make the New Music Makers the award winning choir it is today.  We welcome Lillian and also you to our concert in December.