It was a packed Elmslie United Church on Thursday 12^th December when the Cayman National Choir and The Cayman National Orchestra performed their Annual Christmas Concert.

Under the banner “Colours of Christmas” this concert saw only one performance and its popular and enigmatic Musical Director Sue Horrocks was absent due to illness.

Everyone hopes Ms Horrocks makes a full and quick recovery from the surgery she underwent to try and correct her recurring neck problem.

The baton was shared by two conductors, Nicky White and Seb Poznansky with accompanist Catherine Boyd-Moss.

The performance started with a rousing rendering with everyone joining in of the well known carol “Once in Royal David’s City”. We all had to join in with four other carols, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Away In A Manger”, O Little Town of Bethlehem” and we had just enough breathe for the finale – “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.

The National Choir sang:

Colours of Christmas (the theme and title song) – John Rutter

Silent Night – Gruber & Mohr

Mary Did You Know – Lowry & Greene

Ding Dong Merrily on High – Tabourot & Woodward

O Holy Night – Adam Arr. Porter

In the Bleak Midwinter – Harold Darke

Hosanna De Baby Bawn – Noel Dexter arrangement of Jamaican Folk Tune

The National Orchestra played:

O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Arr. Bullock

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers – Leon Jessell Arr. Ford

Winter Wonderland – Bernard & Smith

Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson Arr. Cerulli

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Pola & Wyle

March of the Nutcracker & Trepak – Tschaikowsky  Arr. Issac

Even though Ms. Horrocks was sadly missed the National Choir and Orchestra put on a very entertaining and lively show with plenty of passion.

It was very enjoyable and the musicians well deserved their standing ovation.

(Photos from 2012)