Date - 8th Dec 2018
Time - See Below
Location: Hedge End Village Hall,St John's Road, Hedge End, SO30 4AF

To a festive scenery of candy canes, snowmen and sparkly lights, the New Music Makers joyously sang their Christmas offering to their audiences at Hedge End Village Hall. 

This year’s concerts, were a great success, from the wonderfulForesthall School of Dancing Irish Dancers in their beautiful costumes,Alecs amazingly accomplished rendition of ‘Oh Holy Night’ (which provoked many a tear, it was so touching), to the New Music Makers themselves.

A packed programme included favourites such as ‘Walking in the Air’, The First Noel Pachabel, Angels’ Carol and Grandma got run over by a Reindeer, to name but a few.  Two contrasting medleys proved most popular – the upbeat, jazzy ‘Swing into Christmas’, and the gospel/blues piece ‘What a Wonderful Child’.  In contrast, the ladies’ piece ‘What is this lovely Fragrance’, arranged by our own Lillian Sediles provided a deliciously quiet, contemplative, choral sound.

The New Music Makers are not without their keen soloists and duos, so we were lucky to hear sung ‘All is Well’ by Pat Jenkins, ‘The Christmas Song’ by father and daughter Rebecca Williams and Keith Henry, ‘Pie Jesu’ by Sandie Farnell and Maggie Jacobs, ‘I Believe by ‘Roy Hogben’ and ‘Hey Mr Snowman’ by Marg Dunne and Sarah Turl, (who even managed to swap presents mid song)! 

The concerts were also interspersed with entertaining readings – ‘The Christmas Cards’, written and delivered (sorry for the pun), by Sharon Thomas and  a poem entitled ‘The Snowman’, chosen and read by Ann Lee, to fit in with the theme of celebrating the 40th anniversary of the publication of Raymond Brigg’s story ‘The Snowman’.

The choir worked very hard this year, to present the lilting ‘Seal Lullaby’ by Eric Whitacre.  The crescendos and decrescendos within the piece give the impression of the coming and going of waves and the entire work is hauntingly hypnotic.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s concerts raised over £147 for our nominated charity ‘Southampton Children’s Hospital Charity’, a most worthwhile cause.

There are many people to thank for the putting on of our concerts –  too many to list, but they know who they are and that their help is very much appreciated.  However, we must say a big “thank you” to Lillian Sedilles, (our Music Director), David Farnell (our Assistant Music Director),Chris Allison, (our Pianist), Martha and Zac (our page turners) and Lin and Chris Kellaway (our Chairlady and ever helpful better half), all of whom are brilliant at what they do. 

Finally, we look forward to presenting a summer concert to you on Saturday 8th June at the Kings Community Church, Hedge End.  We look forward to seeing you there.