St John’s, Hollington, 6 December 2018

Treble Clefs returned to St John’s, Hollington, for a well-supported Christmas concert which encouraged audience participation not just with the carols but with the familiar songs surrounding them.

However, the most impressive parts of the evening came from the less familiar and unexpected items. Whisper! Whisper! was certainly unknown to me as a Christmas Carol but was wonderfully effective and will surely become a standard very soon. This was preceded by a gentle lullaby, Before the marvel of this night, both American settings and both worth getting to know better.

The other surprise was O Holy Night sung by young singers Maisie and Ben. It was one of those spine-tingling moments which we wished could have gone on far longer. The produced splendidly focussed voices, well balanced and accurate, with an emotional intensity which never became sentimental.

The choir had opened with Come to the Celebration before we all sang Joy to the World, which segued into a medley of popular Christmas songs.

Accompanist Stephen Page gave the choir a break when he gave two organ solos – the beautifully reflective This is the truth and a rousing jazz arrangement of The Virgin Mary had a baby boy.

It was good to hear the verse introduction to Winter Wonderland and the cheery Christmas is Here – with its surprising overtones of The Muppet Christmas Carol! –  brought the evening to a fine climax.

Treble Clefs under their ebullient conductor Keith Richardson will certainly make a welcome return next year.