St James’ Teignmouth was the venue for Teign Choral Society’s traditional yet quite imaginative Christmas Carol Concert.
In addition to the readings and well loved carols sung by choir and audience, music director David Bowles had selected an interesting take on the Twelve Days of Christmas, a musicological journey through them by Craig Courtney, in which a different musical period is used for each day.
It was a little strange to hear 6th century Gregorian monks being given a partridge in a pear tree by their true love!
Subsequently we heard the styles of Palestrina, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mozart, the Swan melody of Saint Saens, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker through to the incredibly confident John Philip Sousa.
The most striking, which brought gasps and cries of delight from members of the audience, was the use of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyrie for the Eight Maids a Milking, the Maids and Brunhilde’s warrior maidens being sisters at heart.
Guest organist Wyn Turner provided dramatic and subtle accompaniment to the Courtney and also uplifting harmonies for all during the notably spirited carol singing.
The Christmas story was told by Jane Otieno in her reading, and this was given an amusing slant by Ged Stafford, Joseph complaining to his travel agency, and Dawn Crawford outlining the problems King John had in celebrating a normal Christmas.
Freda Welton, of the League of Friends of Teignmouth Hospital, gave an impassioned address on what is hoped will be a positive future for the hospital.
Carole-Anne Barr, chair of the choir, thanked all participants and wished everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.