TITLE: Lindley Band and Guests Christmas Gala Evening
VENUE: Huddersfield Town Hall
REVIEW: David Heathcote
LINDLEY Band’s 18th Christmas Gala Evening was a refreshing programme of seasonal music with some welcome Christmas gifts added in.
Even with odd choices such as Lionel Richie’s All Night Long and Mr Blue Sky, it was an enjoyable concert.
Lindley Band shone in Rodney Newton’s lively arrangement of Gaudete and Philip Sparke’s setting of The Christmas Song. Sparke seemed more suited to this than Hallelujah, where his arrangement doesn’t capture Handel’s brilliant colours.
Will Frost had presence and style in Cry Me A River, forming a great partnership with Chris Lewis and the band.
Lindley Junior School Choir was phenomenal and their conductor Alison North is an inspiration.
She had the absolute attention of every child, each of whom strives to sing their very best for her.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Alison North has given them the gift of music.
The choir’s musicality was exemplary, with each word, phrase and dynamic perfectly delivered in their excellent programme.
The contrasts displayed in the pieces were equally impressive, with beautiful tone in The Lamb, from Bob Chilcott’s ‘Jazz Songs of Innocence’, to the style and rhythm of the Charleston Carol.
In Rhythm of Life, the choir excelled in the demanding rhythm and diction essential to the piece.
Clare Teal is regarded as one of the most successful British jazz singers in decades.
She and her band wowed the audience with an electric combination of Christmas and jazz in their Festive Fiesta, arranged by MD and pianist Grant Windsor.
Through their great music and personalities, Clare Teal and her band were a Christmas highlight.
