The Movers ‘n’ Shakers Choir is teaming up with the Chester Bach Singers for a special Christmas concert.
The choir is based at the Neuro Therapy Centre in Saltney and its members are made up of friends of the centre, people with neurological conditions and their carers.
Chairman of the Chester Bach Singers Nicky Brooks said: “We have several new arrangements of much-loved carols for our 2015 Christmas concerts alongside the best of newly-composed carols by some of the most appealing choral composers around. We can’t wait to perform them. Being joined by the Movers ‘n’ Shakers Choir will also be a highlight of our programme.”
The Carols by Candlelight Concert at St Mary’s without-the-Walls Church in Handbridge will feature new arrangements of On Christmas Night all Christians Sing, We Three Kings of Orient and Ding Dong! Merrily on High.
These will be set alongside Chester-born composer Howard Skempton’s There is no Rose, Will Todd’s jazz-harmonised My Lord is Come and Thomas Hewitt-Jones’ hauntingly beautiful carol What Child is This.
In addition to the Movers ‘n’ Shakers own performance there will be a joint rendition of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas in a tuneful arrangement by Martin Bussey, who has conducted the Chester Bach Singers for almost 30 years.
There will also be the opportunity for the audience to join the choirs’ performance of many traditional carols to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.
The Carols by Candlelight Concert with the Movers ‘n’ Shakers will be held on Saturday, December 19 at 7.30pm.
The partnership with the Movers ‘n’ Shakers Choir is part of a new venture for the Chester Bach Singers in joining with other groups in the community in a practical way to share music making.
30th anniversary year
The Neuro Therapy Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and centre manager Jane Johnston-Cree is delighted the centre’s choir has been chosen to perform alongside the Chester Bach Singers.
“This is a great opportunity for our choir, they are all really looking forward to it,” she said. “The choir started in 2012 and it has become a very well established and popular activity with our members.
“Everyone enjoys the choir and it is fantastic that they continue to get all these opportunities to perform at high profile events. The choir is a great way of bringing everyone together whatever condition they have and whatever their age.”
Collections in aid of the Neuro Therapy Centre will be held at this concert and also at the Carols by Candlelight concert on December 13 at St Alban’s Church, Tattenhall.
Tickets are £12 including refreshments and are available from the Chester Bach Singers website at www.chesterbachsingers.org.uk or by calling 0845 241 7868.
