London Pro Arte Choir
and Special Guests Frith Manor School Choir
Carol Concert Saturday 13 December 2025
St Michael's Church Flower Lane Mill Hill
I've been attending the annual Mill Hill Carol Concert for many years. It is a fantastic occasion and always very enjoyable. This year saw the London Pro Arte Choir invite a local school choir to share the spotlight. An inspired choice. For the first time the church was packed to the back row for this event.
Th concert started with a well sung O Come all Ye Faithful complete with a wonderfully sung descant by the Pro Arte Choir sopranos.
The choir's first performances included a lovely Still, Still, Still which showed great sensitivity and control which was continued through the evening.
Frith Manor school choir then had two carols. Some may remember the 1991 " Jason Donovan" production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat? This famous new production featured the Frith Manor School Choir children on the stage of the legendary London Palladium each night! So it is good to hear that in 2026 'they' are still on fine form. The first song was Crash Crash Beep Beep complete with actions and then the Festive hit song Somewhere only we know. Both sung with great enthusiasm and received warmly by the huge audience.
The Pro Arte Choir sang a wonderful carol Jesus Christ the Apple Tree by Elizabeth Poston, introduced by Tom Winpenny the Director of music who told us that the composer had lived in Hertfordshire which I did not know!
Frith Manor's second performance included one of my favourite Christmas songs - the children's carol written for Home Alone the movie - Somewhere in my Memory. With a violin and piano arrangement this was a real highlight of the concert. Fabulous.
The two choirs then performed together a very sweet Away in a Manger. They combined really well and it was another highlight of the concert.
The pro arte choir then finished their performance with a selection of carols including an excellent Carol of the Bells.
The traditional finale started with a rousing 12 days of Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and a bonus of We Wish you a Merry Christmas.
The audience left happy munching on Mince Pies and drinking mulled wine!
A fabulous event - next year get your ticket early because it will sell out again!
Congratulations to both choirs - to Phoebe Tak Man Chow who moved between Piano and Organ to provide a superb accompaniment for the programme. Tom Winpenny conducted and created this excellent concert. Congratulations as well to the Frith Manor Team - the conductor and the violinist, and the parents who supported the event by bringing/encouraging the choir!
The concert was raising money for the Noah's Ark Children's Hospice.
NEXT CONCERT
Saturday 21 March 7.30p.m St Michaels Church
Mozart and Haydn with Orpheus Sinfonia
( If you are watching Amadeus the New TV Series next week then this concert will be ideal to enjoy a live performance of Mozart etc. )
OPEN REHEARSALS
There will be free no obligation open rehearsals on 15 and 22 Jauary - visit the website for more information.
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