There was plenty to cheer and delight the large audience at the Rotorua District Choir's Carols concerts at St Lukes Church over the weekend.
Much of its success is due to their conductor Ursula Schraa who got strong rhythmic flow and gooddiction from the singers, along with a vital sense of unity and purpose.
She had chosen an imaginative programme which gave freshness to traditional carols by way of new and spirited arrangements, stimulus from unfamiliar ones, and brightness with frequent inclusion of soloists.
These all gave to the occasion an abundance of warmth and goodwill, especially when the audience joined the choir for much-loved pieces such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
Some pieces were sung in novel styles such as syncopation and swing, but these were always in good taste.
When occasionally the singers lost their way, this was understandable with unaccompanied singing of intricate settings. Highlights were the touching Infant King, the clarity of Past Three O'Clock and vigorous singing in Shepherds' Chorus.
The Pilaar family made appealing contributions to the programme with violin, cello, organ and soprano solos.
Their combined performance in the reflective piece Shifting Sands was an engaging intermission to the choral pieces.
