OUR men's choir's annual seasonal concert was well up to its usual standard, with lots of Christmassy songs, plenty of audience participation, and excellent guest artistes.

The choir sang many of the popular carols, including an unusual arrangement of Deck the Hall, and an unaccompanied Appalachian lullaby called Jesus, Jesus, Rest your Head.

One of the highlights of their contribution was one of my all-time favourites, The Three Kings, by Cornelius, when choir member Tim Heywood, who had arranged the carol, conducted while musical director Justin Parker took the solo lead - I had not realised what a good singer he is, having only heard him as part of the choir, or the Quattro Gento before.

I shall be sorry to see Justin retire from the post of MD in April as he plans to do, as he is so much a part of this brilliant choir.

The Woolley Pritchard Sovereign Band, or at least half of it (the entire band would not have fitted on the stage!) delighted the audience. I was particularly impressed by flugelhorn player Claire Mumford, who took a couple of solos, including for a beautiful Polish carol/folk song.

Their friendly MD, Trevor Jones, said he didn't like the arrangement for Jingle Bells, but the audience certainly enjoyed it, all joining in lustily with the chorus.

The band really raised the roof with Do you hear what I hear?, ending in a magnificent crescendo.

Despite all these wonderful performances, as always it was the children who stole the show. The youngsters from Offmore First School were terrific, and allowed us to join in some of their songs.

An interesting version of We Three Kings and the lesser-known setting of Away in a Manger were just two of their delights.

We all took part in a manic version of The 12 Days of Christmas, when Justin made the audience work harder than the choirs! The entire ensemble, and audience, rounded off the evening with another of my favourites See Amid the Winter's Snow.

VJS