The members of the Okehampton Choral Society have been busy preparing a very special selection of music for this year’s Christmas programme. The first half consists of a performance of the first section of Handel’s immortal oratorio “Messiah”: a firm favourite with singers and audiences alike, ever since it was first performed in 1742. This part of the work deals with the promise and birth of Christ and includes such wonderfully joyful choruses as “For unto us a child is born”.
After the interval, the sixty-strong choir will perform a selection of popular carols by composers including Bach, Willcocks, Mathias and Rutter and there will be a chance for the audience to join the choir in well-known carols too. The organ accompanist is Roger Cleverdon and the concerts will mark the debut of the choir’s new conductor Andrew Wilson, who brings many years of experience as a composer, conductor and organist with him. Following 22 years as Director of Music at Kelly College in Tavistock, Andrew became Director of Studies of the National College of Music and organist and choirmaster of Okehampton Parish Church. He has won many national and international awards for his compositions and his “Hymn to the Virgin” is included in the programme.
As a result of the enduring popularity of the Okehampton Choral Society’s Christmas performances, there will be three opportunities to hear them this year: at Fairplace Church on Friday 8th and Friday 15th December and also at St Mary’s Parish Church, Exbourne on Monday 11th December. All three concerts begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at £5.00 for adults and £2.00 for full-time students and children.