"Christmas is a comin'" and the Wooburn Singers kicked off the season in an appropriate manner - with Benjamin Britten's exquisite A Ceremony of Carols.

This work is a series of brilliantly crafted miniatures to words from the 15th and 16th centuries, with the "old English" of Chaucer's age (plus Latin interpolations) delightfully retained. The alternative setting for a standard choir was used, and the Singers had the ability to handle both the quiet ethereal moments and the crescendos of acclamation equally well. Their in-choir soloists * all did well.

The work is accompanied by harp, played with distinction by 18 year old undergraduate Katie Flanagan, performing the harp Interlude with skill and feeling. A brave pianissimo made one hold one's breath. The taxing accompaniment to Deo Gracias was splendid, as was a later well controlled solo transcribed from J. S. Bach.

The remaining time was occupied with carols by varied composers including Britten again, William Walton, John Rutter and Francois Poulenc. Particularly interesting was a short piece by the near-forgotten Patrick Hadley, and contemporary work by Jeremy Pike (a composer new to me) and a rhythmically idiosyncratic carol by John Gardner. These were performed with vigour or subtlety as required, and conductor Greg Bearsdell produced some fine diminuendo effects.

The audience also contributed by joining in four popular hymns/carols. It is always fun to witness an audience battling to hold its own against an onslaught of descants. I reckon it was (just about) a draw.

Stan Meares