Ashcroft and area may be small in size, but, boy oh boy, does the area have a big voice. As witnessed by over 200 people on Friday night at a packed St Alban’s Church Hall for a Christmas Concert by two new (and to be heard of a lot!) Choir groups: The Sage Sound Singers and the Desert Ringers.
Both groups came into being a couple of months ago, and have held limited rehearsals... but you wouldn’t have known it, as the Singers took us through a short repertoire, which included music from Enya, Alison Krauss (a gospel song from the movie, O Brother Where Art Thou) to a montage of songs from Charlie Brown’s Christmas (for which pianist Gail Koop deserves much praise for her emulation of Vince Guaraldi’s brilliant piano work).
The choir, led by musical director Michelle Reid, was under the baton of Carmen Ranta, and all were well deserving of the standing ovation given by a delighted crowd.
Carmen Ranta was also conducting the Desert Ringers, our new Handbell Choir, who presented their short repertoire to the delight of the audience. The choir (which, by the way, is looking to recruit new members - aged 10 to 110) is making excellent use of a set of handbells loaned by the Gold Trail School District (one of only two sets in our immediate area).
To round off the evening, the audience joined in singing of carols and festive songs, accompanied by Gail on piano and Carmen on flute. Well done to all involved. Let’s see more soon.
Christopher Roden