NOEL: Christmas 2001 was a thoughtful and beautiful compilation of music and literature.

Conducted by James Vivian, it featured admirable intonation and vocal balance throughout.

The first carol, The truth from above, arranged by Vaughan Williams, began with accordant unison singing and was carefully phrased, taking account of the resonant acoustic.

In Britten's skilful setting of A Hymn to the Virgin, the singers arranged as two choirs in response, were positioned with the smaller group standing off, for maximum emphasis. The change of key and tempo was achieved excellently.

Bethlehem Down characterised by Warlock's unusual, original harmony, exemplified finely decorated cadences.

The 16th Century settings O magnum mysterium, by de Victoria, and Haec Dies, by Byrd, were rich in glorious polyphony, each concluding with splendid Alleluias.

In A New Song, composed in 1997 by James Macmillan, we heard the sopranos and altos first, with the organ gradually evolving a rippling effect. Stunning contrapuntal vocal scoring for the full choir and a section for the tenors and basses, with the rippling organ again, preceded a solo organ coda.

Psalm Prelude: No 1 Set 2 for solo organ, by Herbert Howells, performed expertly by Carleton Etherington (who also accompanied the singers in some carols), emerged from a contemplative beginning, through imaginative harmonies, ever expanding to a climax of radiance, intensified with pedalling, before subsiding into its meditative mood again.

Some interesting readings from writings by the Russian Fyodor Dostoyevsky, poet Robert Bridges, and an excerpt from A day in the life of Ahmed Abyyiat - Bethlehem Shepherd, were interspersed.

JILL HOPKINS