by Nicola Lisle

The OBC's annual Carols for All is always an occasion to be savoured, and this year's
offering was a particularly heart-warming mixture of carols, songs and readings, which
captured the festive spirit to perfection. There was the usual line-up of two choirs, a brass
ensemble, organist and soloists, all held together with some witty compèring by conductor
Adrian Partington.

The evening kicked off in sparkling fashion with Leroy Anderson's wonderful Sleigh Ride,
in which the OBC was augmented by the very impressive Oxfordshire Young Singers,
aged between about seven and 13, and whose palpable enthusiasm was matched by
impeccable diction, intonation and timing. My attention was constantly drawn to the tiniest
singers in the front row, who performed with remarkable confidence. Later, these delightful
youngsters treated us to equally joyful renditions of Frosty the Snowman and - in tandem
with the adult choir - Winter Wonderland.

The OBC's own contribution ranged from the solemnity of Infant Holy, Infant Lowly to the
lively urgency of Torches, and from pieces by the 16th-century composers Giovanni
Gabrieli and S.Scheidt to the modern setting of And His Name Shall Be Called, by Ken
Burton. This eclectic mix allowed the choir to demonstrate its versatility, exemplary diction
and deft handling of mood and dynamics.

There were finely delivered renditions of Max Reger's Marias Wiegenlied and Adolphe
Adams's Cantique de Noel by soprano soloist Sian Winstanley, a student from the Royal
Welsh College of Music and Drama, and a virtuoso performance by harpist Lowri Blake.
Members of the choir interspersed the musical numbers with some entertaining readings,
and there was magnificent support throughout from ensemble Absolute Brass, also from
RWCMD, and organist Robert Houssart.

Several opportunities for audience participation reinforced the feeling of festive cheer, and
the evening finished with a rousing performance of Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.