A Christmas Concert, presented by The Ensemble Singers, comprised an interesting range of work for choral ensemble from traditional carol and spiritual to contemporary composition.

The programme was held under the direction of Lloyd Matthew at Wesley Methodist Church on Sunday evening,

It led the audience through the Christmas season from Advent (Paul Manz's 'E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come') to the Feast of St. Stephen and into the New Year with Ralph Vaughn Williams' 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols'.

An introduction to the programme by Gary Phillips offered an insight into the intent of the Ensemble: to touch and gently agitate the passions, and to sing hymns of gratitude to the Creator of the universe. There was, however, a nod to the less sublime, with the humorous 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch', a tribute to a creature with garlic in his soul and termites in his smile.

The opening piece, William Walton's 'All this time' was sung a cappella by the Ensemble in the Narthex of the church. The beautiful polyphonic arrangement of the early English carol gave a sense of the centuries across which the Christmas message has been carried, recalling as it did soaring voices in the vast emptiness of a medieval church. There followed Manz's Advent motet, 'E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come', and an interesting and challenging arrangement of the tradition Shaker hymn 'Lord of the Dance', by John Bertalot.

Guest soloist William Clarence Marshall III presented a selection of four pieces, which, though not entirely keeping within the Christmas theme, demonstrated the considerable power and range of his rich baritone.

Though beautiful, 'O Isis und Osiris' from Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' and Aaron Copland's arrangement of the lullaby 'The Little Horses' were somewhat puzzling additions to a Christmas concert. Ralph Vaughn Williams' 'Whither Must I Wander' was a nostalgic evocation of home and all it represents warmth and welcome, open doors and open arms.

There followed selections celebrating the Virgin Mary ('Spotless Rose' and 'Joys Seven') and three spirituals, concluding with Mr. Marshall's beautiful rendition of 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy'.

Organist John Oss, a frequent guest soloist with the Ensemble Singers' Christmas concerts, played two pieces the striking 'The King Shall Come' by Michael Burkhardt and Bach's 'In Dulci Jubilo'. His place in the spotlight was far too short, and, I for one, would have enjoyed experiencing more of Mr. Oss' considerable talent.

The second was the stronger of the two halves of the concert, comprising Nicholas White's exuberant 'Magnificat', the carol 'Good King Wenceslas', which the audience was invited to join in singing, and Williams' 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols', a medley of carols familiar and less well-known, which sent the audience on their way with blessings for many more Christmases and wishes for a happy New Year.

The Ensemble Singers are a choral group of considerable talent. Beautifully balanced, interested in presenting local concert goers with new variations on traditional themes as well as the old favourites, they are to be commended for the range of works included in this year's concert.