Press Release

Christmas with Cantate

The 6th December at the stunning Church in St Mary's Platt is the setting for the Cantate Choir's next concert : "Christmas with Cantate" - a programme of traditional Christmas Carols and other seasonal music and readings.

It is only the second time since the choir began in 1993 that the tradition of a Christmas concert has been upheld. This imbalance is being rectified this year with a blaze of festive sound including two beautiful and serene motets by Villette (Salve Regina and O Magnum Mysterium) together with both the explosive and vibrant Alleluia! I bring you News of Great Joy by Grier and the little known setting of the well known carol In Dulci Jubilo by Praetorius. A Christmas concert would not be complete without carols and the choir will be performing a number for your enjoyment. There will, of course, be an opportunity for the audience to raise their voices in song with some of the stalwart Christmas favourites and, in an extended interval, mulled wine and Christmas treats will be served.

The Choir will be joined by three soloists : two trumpeters (Tom Watson and Heidi Sutcliffe) who will play Vivaldi's delightful Double Trumpet Concerto and Robin Walker (otherwise known as the Choir's musical director) who will be demonstrating his talents as an accomplished organist with a performance of the Holsworthy Church Bells by S S Wesley. Robin Walker studied at the Royal Academy of Music where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Performance) in 1998. This he followed with the Diploma of Postgraduate Performance with Distinction in organ in 2000 and was awarded the highly coveted Diploma of the Royal Academy for his outstanding final recital.

The concert is set to be an enjoyable seasonal celebration and the Choir looks forward to welcoming friends old and new to St Mary's.

'Christmas with Cantate', 6 December 2003, St Mary's Platt, Nr Sevenoaks, 7.30pm, £8 from Sevenoaks Bookshop or from Susan Reid (01959 523234), www.cantate-choir.info