Midwinter Candlelit Concert Poster

The 2015 Midwinter Candlelit Concert

After a sell out show last year, local choir, Vocal Explosion, are back with a Candlelit Concert to warm our cockles and get us into the festive spirit. HOT’s Zoya Mathison finds out more.

For me, Christmas comes alive after a mulled wine or two and hearing Christmas anthems on repeat in almost every shop in the shopping centre. It is not Christmas without Slade, Wizzard and Chris Rea driving me home – or presenting themselves for my listening pleasure at almost every opportunity. So in an undisguised effort to branch out and create a new ‘Christmas starts now’ feeling, I am looking to the musical talents of Vocal Explosion.

This local Hastings community choir is lead by multi-talented composer, Juliet Russell and the choir sing songs from as far as the Caspian Sea to ancient Celtic music and more traditional Christmas fare. The 40 member strong choir is accompanied by violin, guitars, pipes and percussion, with special guests including well-known folk musicians, Garry and Edd Blakeley. This concert will make a lovely change from my ‘NOW Xmas Party Hits’: a bit more grown up and far more authentic.

Vocal Explosion at St Mary in The Castle. Photo by Ben Hamilton

The performances will be held over the weekend of the 12 December at St Clements Church, High Street, Hastings Old Town. The church, an ancient building hailing from the 11th Century will no doubt become part of the performance, as it will be candlelit and decked out in festive greenery.

This promises to be incredibly atmospheric and a stirring way to get into the festive mood. I’ve already got my ticket, have you?

There are only a few tickets left, so it’s fastest fingers first.

Midwinter Candlelit Concert with Vocal Explosion, St Clements Church, High Street, Hastings Old Town. Doors open at 7pm, concert starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets for Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December are £10 for adults and £5 for a child 13 and under, online from Eventbrite Vocal Explosion and also B&T Music, Claremont, Hastings; SHOP, Norman Rd, St Leonards on Sea and Made in Hastings, High St, Old Town.

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