Southwell Hall at St Margaret's Prep was alive with the sounds of festive music on Monday evening as the Major Minors Children's Choir took centre stage for their much-anticipated annual Christmas concert.
Major Minors Children's Choir is a community choir made up of pupils from eight of Calne's local primary schools and under the skilled accompaniment of Mrs. Allard on the piano, the talented young singers captivated the audience with an eclectic repertoire that celebrated the spirit of the holiday season.
The concert featured a delightful mix of contemporary compositions, such as 'Me and I Am Small' from the Friday Afternoons Project, alongside timeless favourites from the world of musical theatre, including 'I Whistle a Happy Tune' from The King and I. The children also delighted attendees with a selection of beloved festive classics, ensuring a magical atmosphere filled with holiday cheer.
One of the evening's highlights was the audience participation rendition of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', expertly started by two of the choir members, which added to the sense of community and celebration. The festive spirit reached its peak with an energetic performance of 'Jingle Bells', where choir members donned Santa hats, bringing smiles and laughter to all who attended.
Musical Director, Mrs. Bethan Dudley Fryar, reflected on the choir's successful Autumn Term, stating: “The whole Autumn Term has been very busy as the choir is in such demand in the community. A fabulous performance at the Calne Music & Arts Festival was a wonderfully uplifting experience for everyone involved.
"By popular demand, Major Minors were invited to perform again at the Notes of Hope charity concert at St Edmund’s Church, raising over £1,000 for local charities.”
Mrs. Dudley Fryar expressed pride in the choir members, many of whom have been singing together for nearly two years. She acknowledged the bravery of newer members who joined only this September, highlighting their remarkable achievement in performing a diverse assortment of songs.
Looking ahead, she noted, “Major Minors are going from strength to strength, and I look forward to the New Year and the new pieces to perform with more collaborations to enjoy too.”
The Major Minors Children’s Choir is open to girls and boys in Years 3 to 6 at local primary schools who share a love of singing. The choir rehearses every Monday at St Mary’s and work on a range of songs, across different music genres, with the aim of presenting an end-of-term performance each term.
As the choir has grown and developed, it has embraced the opportunity to perform at special community events.
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