Christmas Concerts

These concerts will be a blend of Dorset-linked carols, folk songs, music and entertaining tales. These include a joyful version of “Hark the Herald Angel Sing” to music collected years ago in Durweston and “Rejoice Ye Tenants of the Earth”, which was collected in Puddletown and known by Thomas Hardy.

Another well known carol – if not tune – will be “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”, which at one time was the only carol the Church permitted local congregations to sing, and which was thus widely sung, to different tunes made up locally. Our version is found in the Hardy Family Manuscripts.

 “A song from Loders”, is a wintery poem by Leonard Clark, with the melody by our own Tim Laycock. This lovely piece evokes some of the less-known parts of Dorset: “From Yondover to Askerswell, the lanterns burn for wand’ring sheep”.

Music played by the band includes “The January Waltz” written by a modern Dorset composer as well as “Enrico”, said to be a favourite of Thomas Hardy.

In short: our usual highly entertaining mix of West Gallery carols and other Dorset music and songs, with entertaining tales mixed in.

Sunday 4 December – St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull (near Sturminster Newton) at 4.00pm.
Tickets: Adults £8; Under-18s £5, Family £20
Book via Artsreach: www.artsreach.co.uk or Tel 01258 820458.

Wednesday 21 December – Dorford Centre, Dorchester at 7.30pm
Tickets: Adults £10; Under-18s £5
Book via TicketSource or Tel 01305 852826

CD of our Music

Our CD is available to buy mail order for only £11.00 including shipping.

RidgewayCD

Around 40 singers and 10 musicians – come and experience our vibrant and joyous sound!