Harborough church hosts special concert to kick off Christmas tree festival

A concert featuring around 70 singers and musicians will launch a Christmas Tree Festival in Harborough Parish Church later this month.

About 50 trees will light up the town centre church of Dionysius for the musical event on Thursday, November 26 at 7pm.

A 50-strong choir and a chamber orchestra are coming together from all over the East Midlands to take part.

Concert organiser and conductor, Patrick Burnham said: “There will be about 70 people taking part from all over the area, including Southall, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Market Harborough. And we have four excellent soloists. I am very excited about it.”

The programme will include excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and other Christmas music.

“I am one of the regular organists at St Dionysius and this is my way of giving to the church. I was originally asked to help provide some background music during the Christmas Tree Festival and it just grew from that,” said Patrick.

The five day Christmas tree festival – the church’s second – opens the next day and organiser, Sam Peverett is expecting it to even better than last year.

“There will be trees decorated and sponsored by businesses, community groups and charities and the theme is Winter Wonderland. Last year there was a lot of variety and people were very imaginative. There will be a £3 admission fee for adults, but free for children,” explained Sam.

The festival will be officially opened by local author Tamsin Winter at 1pm on Friday, November 27 staying open until 8pm to tie in with late night shopping. Other opening times are – Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday – 1pm-5pm; Monday and Tuesday – 10am-5pm.

Tickets for the concert are £15 including wine or soft drink and are available on line from Eventbrite -https//www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-festive-musical-showcase-tickets-2003421276970

Paper tickets can be bought in church any weekday morning, except Thursdays.

All proceeds are for the church and Harborough Against Bullying.