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BBC "Songs of Praise" Pam Rhodes compered the concert
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 Reading Central Salvation Army Sunday School present a Nativity tableaux |
The two performances of the 27th Civic Carol Concert, at The Hexagon Theatre, presented by Reading Central Corps, attracted in excess of 2,400 people and with the aid of local sponsorship and the generosity of guests raised £12,000. Save the Children Fund and Leukaemia Research will each receive £3,000, The Mayor of Reading's Charitable Fund £1,000, with the remainder being set aside for the community work of The Salvation Army.
The evening performance was honoured by the presence of the The Right Worshipful Mayor of Reading, Councillor Riaz Chaudhri and his lady mayoress.
The compere, BBC Songs of Praise presenter of 18 years standing, used her skills and experience to put the audience at ease and encouraged spirited singing of the carols which were interspersed with musical contributions from the Corps Sections and guests. The guests included soprano Louise Turner and baritone Mark Norwood, both former members of the Salvation Army centre in Reading where they received their initial musical training. In one of her solos, "Poor Wandering One" from "The Pirates of Penzance" Louise used her former Young People's Band Leader Alex Mitchell as a prop!
The third guest was pianist George King, named in 1996 by the Daily Telegraph as Young Jazz Musician of the year. He showed his versatility by contributing classical music items in addition to is own arrangements of popular carols, as well as improvising a jazz version "Frosty the Snowman" at the compere's unexpected request.
Bandmaster Paul Mortlock has led a Reading Central Musical Section for 25 of the 27 years since the inception of this annual event, 21 as Songster Leader and four years as Bandmaster. The Band started the proceedings in a rousing fashion with the fanfare "To a God like this" (John Larsson arr. Ian Robinson) immediately followed by the Junior Timbrel display to "Jingle Bells". After Louise and Mark had contributed "The Christmas Song" as a duet, a swing version of "Santa Claus is comin' to Town", featuring Mark Dallas as cornet soloist concluded a lively opening,
The appreciative audience was stilled as the Nativity scene was presented by the Singing Company. At the completion of the tableau older members joined for singing their item, dressed in national costumes from around the world, in keeping with the theme of the Concert "Joy to the World". The Songsters, under the leadership of Nicola Hills, provided backing for vocal solos by Louise and Mark. As one of its solo items the brigade presented an arrangement by Bob Chilcot of "Midwinter", which created a real Christmas feeling, as well as astonishing the audience when artificial snow fell from above the stage on them.
Major Samuel Edgar brought a Christmas message and offered prayer.
Report by Patricia Bennett
