After 19 months of lockdowns and all the stresses and strains of the Covid Pandemic, we were absolutely thrilled to be able to hold this wonderful event once again at St David’s Hall on the 4th December 2021. Having taken the plunge to go for it several months previously and after a great deal of work by many people, it was still touch and go as to whether we would actually be able to pull it off – but we did and we thank God for the opportunity to once again publically sing glorious music and join with a large audience in together praising our God for the amazing gift and saving power of His son, Jesus Christ!
Rehearsals were held in super spaced and well ventilated halls with all wearing masks and in St David’s Hall we and the orchestra were spaced and limited in our movements around, but fortunately could sing without masks! There was a very good sized and extremely appreciative audience which made it all worthwhile.
Taking part were as always: Cambrensis Choir and Orchestra and the St David’s Praise Choir all under the baton of our maestro, Jeff Howard; and the Promise of Christmas Youth Choir directed by Emily Porter. They were fantastic!
This year we had the extra excitement of being recorded and then broadcast on Premier Christian Radio in the run up to Christmas. We hope to partner with them on future occasions.
The performance began with the atmospheric ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ and ended with ‘Night of Silence’ by Kantor and Gruber with its clever incorporation of Silent Night. In between there were traditional carols and songs including of course ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’; a John Rutter piece (without which it wouldn’t be Christmas!); and the challenging words of the Kauflin and Clow song ‘ O Come All You Unfaithful’. Advent looks towards the coming of Jesus at Christmas but also His Second Coming and so we sang the moving ‘When We See Your Face’ by Bob and Jordan Kauflin.
They thought it was all over…. but we surprised the audience by launching into Winter Wonderland at the end to cheer them on their way!
We look forward to seeing you at St David’s Hall in early December 2022 for the next Promise of Christmas!
