Annual Christmas Concert Spectacular! 16 Dec 2006

 Its Magic charity concerts raised a £8,000 towards the local Ashenground Community Centre Fund at the annual charity Christmas concert last Saturday evening in Burgess Hill. They have fulfilled their promise to raise £50,000 in 3 years.

A sell out for charity!

The clarity of each note fell on a silently stunned audience as Zack Pinsemt, aged 11 years from Hurstpierpoint College, sang the first verse of ‘Once in Royal Davids City’ which was a real treat for those lucky enough to have been able to get hold of tickets for this special Christmas event.

Jodie Spencer Aged 14 & Zack Pinsemt aged 11

An amazing up and coming singer, at just 14 years of age, Jodie Spencer sang ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ (Les Miserable) and ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’ (Sunset Boulevard). Her passion for the music shone through in her outstanding performance, oozing experience and stage presence beyond her years, which was a real treat for the mesmerised audience.

Conducted by Andrew Sutton and performed by The Sussex Symphony Orchestra, combined choirs from ‘The Mid Sussex Choir’ and ‘The Burgess Hill Choral Society’ sang extracts from the Messiah including ‘Rejoice’ and ‘Comfort Ye’. One of the evenings many musical treats was the special arrangement of ‘Jingle Bells’, (R Goodwin) finely tuned and performed to perfection by the orchestra.

Dashing back from a performance in Dubai, high profile operatic soloists, Jo Appleby, soprano and Andrew Rees, tenor, performed Christmas songs to warm the hearts of Sussex, including ‘Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’. A special request by Tim French, the organiser and chairman of Its Magic charity concerts, prompted a beautiful performance of ‘Perhaps Love’ followed by a magical ‘I’m Dreaming Of a White Christmas’.

The Sussex Barbershop Singers were one of many pleasant surprise acts for the evening, opening the second half with the fresh accapella sound of ‘A Wonderful Day Like Today’ stimulating the audience with their animated performance including audience participation during ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’. Thoroughly enjoyed by all, this act was Barbershop at its best.

The Sussex Barbershop Singers

The audience was suitably stirred to join the choirs, orchestra and soloists for a spectacular finale of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’, a fitting end to a joyous evening.

Raising money for the local community centre, included the silent ‘bid for the teddy bear’ donated by Haywards Heath Rotary Club as well as a raffle of donated gifts. The audience enjoyed an evening full of variety and local community spirit, even shaking hands and chatting to their neighbours was not too much trouble for the responsive crowd.

Its Magic would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the concerts, you know who you are and your efforts were much appreciated.

If you wish to be kept informed about similar forthcoming concerts add yourself to our mailing list  

Mr Tim French presents performers and volunteers with gifts and bouquets kindly donated by Seymour & Dench & Stems.