St Chad's Bensham and Hall 2 on Monday

Thank you! One and all for helping us through some rather challenging times last night. I am sorry for the places where I failed (programmes back to front, organist never receiving the Purcell etc etc) - no excuse except the endless tide of life. You will be aware that it's not how I like things to be so I expect to be chastised severely by the Champions when we next meet.

That said, you sounded quite amazing last night. The church was obviously cold (although some hardy souls said that they have felt colder) but what a place to sing! The music sang from the stalls and altar was particularly effective, with Birthday Sleep and This Have I Done really standing out. There were some challenges, but we are on a year long journey to St George's Jesmond in July.

So thank you for all your patience and hard work. It really did pay off.

Now - Monday. This concert will have a completely different feel, sharing the stage as we are with Philharmonic Voices, another of the Adult Programme choirs, directed by Simon Fidler. The idea is that we take turns in the first half (us first, them second) and Simon will conduct the Grieg . After the break we'll do the same thing the other way round, interspersed by carols (carol sheet amended!) and culminating in a joint O Magnum Mysterium directed by yours truly.

I haven't decided what we will sing in our sections yet, but it will be a smaller and lighter programme and taken from last night's repertoire, so please just bring it along.

There is a joint rehearsal at 17:45 in Hall 2 for those that can make it. Please enter the building by Stage Door (to the rear of the building) and explain who you are. We have dressing rooms behing Hall 2 which we can access after the rehearsal. The rehearsal will finish at 18:30 and the concert starts at 19:00. We can have a wee social afterwards in the cafe.

Black wt a Splash wt Black Folders!

Looking forward to it and thanks again.

Ed