Winter News, 2009

Poco Amabile Carol Singing at Windermere Hydro Hotel

Still a bit bleary eyed from their late night at the Parish Church the night before, Poco Amabile donned their old choir uniforms for the last time to sing at the Windermere Hydro Hotel on Sunday 6th December.

The choir was invited to perform at a Christmas event organised by Cumbria Life Magazine for the Women's Institute. They sang some show songs first, which were very well received by the 160-strong audience, then performed their Christmas songs, including a beautiful rendition of "Away in a Manger", which was a real highlight.

The girls performed to a very high standard and were fantastic ambassadors for Amabile Girls' Choirs. The afternoon was compered by Harry King from BBC Radio Cumbria, who was glowing in his praise of Poco Amabile's performance. It was a wonderful performance and a fitting last outing for the old Choir Uniform, as the fee for the concert went towards the new dress fund.

An Amabile Christmas

The four Amabile Choirs joined forces to present An Amabile Christmas at the Kendal Parish Church on Sat 5th Dec. For many in the audience, this was their first Christmas concert of the season - and what a joyous event it was! The concert opened with all four choirs singing together with the words, 'Why do bells for Christmas ring? Why do little children sing?'

The littlest girls in Piccolo Amabile then sang a variety of songs which included marvellous actions to tell their stories. Poco Amabile and Amabile each sang a variety of pieces, some from Musicals and some Christmas songs. A highlight was their 'Le Train d'Hiver', which told the story, through sound, of a train speeding through a wintery landscape. Many in the audience commented that this was their favourite piece! Donne Amabile Women's Choir also sang a variety of music, including a beautiful arrangement of 'In the Bleak Midwinter'.

The large audience also got to join in on the action by singing three carols, accompanied by the fabulous organ playing of Robert Talbot. The concert ended with a piece called Hope for Resolution, which combined a traditional European Christmas Carol with a South African freedom song - speaking to the diversity, yet universal power of music. It was a fitting end to a wonderful performance.

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