One of the newest music venues in Manchester is the modern Stoller Hall near Victoria Station. This gem of a hall is next to the world-renowned Chethams School of Music and it was students from here who delighted a packed hall for their festive offering of Christmas songs and carols.
This joyous evening brought together musicians from Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir, plus vocalists and brass musicians to really get visitors in the festive spirit.
The talented students started the concert with a medley of tunes on the saxophone from the Nutcracker.
The appreciative audience were treated to a joyful rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Kingdom of the Sweets, with the instantly recognisable Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by the saxophone choir.
Other pieces from the students included the Christmas Song, Carol of the Bells and the Christmas Overture.
The brass ensemble were on-tune with their English Carol Sequence, which was arranged by Chris Houlding, with many in the audience toe-tapping along to their favourites.
The highlight of the night for me was the jubilant rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas from Chetham’s Chorus.
I am not usually a fan of this festive tune, but the choir brought it to life with animal and bird sounds and a twist on the original melody - a song I would gladly listen to again!
The choir also sang everyone’s favourite infant school carol, the lilting Away In A Manger which was movingly produced by the chorus singers.
The night was a joyful evening, with many of the students’ families in the audience to offer encouragement to the young musicians, who didn’t put a foot, or note, wrong all night.
The Stoller Hall has an array of festive treats on throughout December, including a lively evening with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra this Saturday. For those who fancy a more traditional festive outing – Carols from Kantos returns on Sunday with carols, choral music and a Christmas sing-along.
Then on Thursday 22 December, the Down for the Count Concert Orchestra will swing into Christmas recreating the music of Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
