And with a fantastic flourish, the Estates Team Choir made its debut in front of a packed audience in the foyer of the Colyer-Fergusson Building.

There was no sense of stage-fright at all as the team walked out to enthusiastic applause – the foyer was so full that there wasn’t even any standing room around the upper balcony – and formed up to take part in the lunchtime concert. With considerable aplomb, the gentlemen of the choir launched into the opening accompaniment to Santa, Baby, before the ladies joined them. Walking in a Winter Wonderland had the audience clapping along with the final verse, and at the end there was sustained applause ringing round the space.

In concert: the Estates Choir

(Update: this just in: the video!)

They were then followed by the first performance this term from the ladies of the Cecilian Choir, who gave a sneak preview of two movement’s from Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, which we will be performing in its entirety in a lunchtime concert in March as part of the Britten centenary.

The Cecilian Choir

The Canterberries

The concert concluded with some deft close-harmony singing from the student trio, ‘The Canterberries,’ ending with a rendition of ‘All I Want For Christmas (Is You).’

A terrific afternoon; the first real opportunity to hold a lunchtime concert in the foyer-space, and explore the possibilities offered by the stage for the performers, the balcony and social spaces for the audience, and the acoustics.

There are already enquiries as to what the Estates Choir will be working on next term. Gentle readers – you’ll just have to come back to the blog in January to find out…

Playing to the gallery