Toasty Winter Warmers at St Andrew’s

CONCERT OF WARMTH: Adding their expertise to Gisborne Choral Society's Winter Warmers concert on Sunday are, from left, trumpeter Dean Middleton, singer Esther Hudson, organist Sean Scanlen, soprano Catherine Macdonald, tenor Ben Roberts, soprano Beatrix Carino, pianist Coralie Hunter, trumpeter Per Elzen and, in front at the timpani, Amanda Maclean. Picture supplied

With cool weather lingering, the Choral Society is out with Winter Warmers, a concert of many colours of warmth and fun this Sunday at St Andrew's Church.

There will be toasty vocals from local soloists with a backing chorus including mezzo-soprano Esther Hudson in the spiritual I've Been In The Storm So Long, veteran soprano Catherine Macdonald in the great aria Casta Diva, new tenor Ben Roberts with an opera serenade, and Beatrix Carino, transforming from her role as Sandy in Grease, with the immortal Strauss favourite, The Nuns' Chorus.

The finale is the triumphal march from Aida, featuring solo trumpeters Dean Middleton and Per Elzen, with the concert's pianist Coralie Hunter joined by organist Sean Scanlen and timpanist Amanda Maclean.

The newly-formed men's choir will make a guest appearance, as will the Femmes Four, the women's quartet which impressed with their harmonies and the pure soprano of Madeleine Jones last year.

The choir, conducted by Gavin Maclean, will round out the programme with music spanning four hundred years, and light-hearted items including a Beatles medley.

The concert will then conclude with a sumptuous afternoon tea.