CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2004

Exeter School, Saturday 18 December

On the wettest night of the year, our loyal audience of mums, dads, brothers, sisters, grannies, grandads and friends, braved the floods and storms to come to Exeter School Hall for a festive Christmas celebration. We had been practising carols and Christmas music furiously during the 4 weeks following our Autumn Concert, and everyone was in the mood for a good old sing song. Our guests for the evening were the Exeter College Inspirational Choir, and they proved to be an "inspired" choice to entertain us. They performed a wonderful selection of pieces, and they had the audience and orchestra literally dancing in the aisles as we clapped and accompanied their exciting singing.

There were some of the usual favourite items from the Orchestra as well as some new pieces and carols for the audience. One special moment was noted during the carol Silent Night when the ladies and children in the audience sang the first verse, accompanied by flutes and chimes. We were slightly disconcerted when Richard stopped conducting during this verse, as this is usually an indication of something going badly wrong, but it seemed that the combination of voices and instruments was perfect!

At the Interval the audience spilled out into the foyer where the golden tables were laden with festive food and drink. We lubricated our throats with fruit punch and wines, and fortified ourselves with mince pies before returning to the hall to hear speeches and applaud the many people ­ players and parents, who have contributed so much to the success of ECO over the years.

The evening concluded with the traditional singing of White Christmas and as the audience departed, everything was whisked into the van ready to reappear again the following morning at Crealy Park, where we were going to be playing for that special man in the red suit!