The concert opened with the revitalized Parrsboro Junior Band playing, including two pieces they had seen only two weeks prior to the concert.

This was also the first time the new lighting system had been used in a ‘performance’ setting and Alex Odlin did an great job as operator, ensuring that musicians, speakers and soloists were highlighted.

For their final number they were joined by the Parrsboro Citizens’ Band for a combined band performance of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and it was amazing to hear how the sound filled The Hall.   The Bernie Burke Auditorium certainly rocked!

The Citizens’ Band then stayed and played for a very warm and appreciative audience.   The band was followed by a violin solo by Hailey Harrison accompanied by Rob Bentley on acoustic guitar. Timi Levy closed off the first half of the evening with two solos, including a hauntingly beautiful “O Holy Night”, she was also accompanied by Rob Bentley.

At the intermission several draws were made for door prizes, with Nancy Curleigh assisted by two members of the Junior Band conducting the draws.   The final draw was for the “Little Bit of Everything” basket, tickets for which had been on sale for a couple of months.   Fittingly, the basket was won by Tommy Strutz, who has spent numerous hours volunteering at The Hall, and no, no ‘fix’ was in.

The second half of the evening was opened by David Towns with a vocal rendition of “The Christmas Song” accompanied by the extremely talented Jeannie Trider.  The concert concluded with a series of seasonal, up-tempo arrangements performed by the Elastic Big Band.

The Board would like to thank all who have been so involved in the music programme at The Hall and those who worked so hard behind the scenes, again, to provide refreshments at the break.   The Board hopes everyone has a very Happy Christmas and a joyful and prosperous New Year.