ST JOHN SINGERS THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

St Thomas’s Church, Salisbury

SEASONAL, happy and light-hearted, this concert showed yet again what an important dimension the St John Singers add to the musical life of the city.

With their decades of effort for a long list of good causes, either through the now-ended but legendary annual wassail party, or through this, the 24th annual Magic of Christmas, their formula works without fail: offer a varied programme of seasonal song, link up with a different good cause each time and witness the enjoyment of a large audience.

Under the direction of choir founder, John Powell, who was also master of ceremonies, the choir were accompanied by David Coram, playing piano and organ.

Locally raised professional singer Jessica Broad performed solos from the pulpit, filling the old city-centre church with her rich soprano.

Displaying her well-trained versatility to its best advantage, she sang a wide range of songs and arias drawing on work by European, English and American composers.

There were enough opportunities for audience participation to keep everyone happy throughout the evening, and Salisbury Trust for the Homeless benefited from more than £1,000, made up of donations, raffle takings and a percentage of ticket sales.

CAROLINE RIPPIER