The start of the festive period for the band began on Saturday 30 November with two events. At lunchtime around a dozen of the band provided seasonal music for the Christmas tree festival at St Andrews Methodist Church in Eastleigh.
Then in the evening the band performed for the BB concert at Chandler's Ford Methodist Church. The concert was themed 'Our Favourite Things'. Among the pieces performed by the band was 'Dovetails' by Simon Farrenden, 'Share my Yoke' featuring a solo by William, 'Pop Classics' and 'Baggy Trousers'.
Saturday 14th December saw some of the band performing Christmas carols at Naomi House hospice in Sutton Scotney. The band started off playing carols outdoors as Father Christmas arrived by helicopter, before venturing indoors.
Sunday 15th December saw the band providing music at the Skal Christmas dinner. The band played for about 45mins whilst members finished desserts and then joined in with carol singing. Some of the carols performed were 'Joy to the World', 'We Three Kings', 'The 12 Days of Christmas' finishing with 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas '.
As Christmas approaches the band engagements come thick and fast. On Monday 16th December 6 members provided music for carol singing at Rose Window. We starred with 'Good King Wencelas' followed with 'Ding Dong Merrily' and 'Away in a Manger'. After a few more carols we concluded with a rousing rendition of '12 Days of Christmas'.
The following evening the full band played at Romsey Methodist Church for their traditional Carol service. Carols such as 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear' , 'The Angel Gabriel' and 'See Him Lying in a Bed of Straw' were interspersed with readings.
On Thursday 19th December there was two engagements. The first saw a group playing seasonal carols around the neurological unit at Southampton General hospital, and then later in the evening a small ensemble performed for the second time at Rose Window.
Friday 20th December the band played for carols on the rec at Braishfield, however unfortunately due to the damp weather the event was taken inside the village hall. The event started with 'The First Nowell', followed by 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', 'Once In Royal David's City', and 'God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen'. As the carol singing finished the band performed two final pieces 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'.
In the final few days prior to Christmas the band was playing every day. On 22 December the band travelled to Hart Plain Church, Waterlooville for a traditional candlelit service. Carols such as 'Once in Royal David's City', 'Away in a Manger' and 'We Three Kings' were interspersed with readings. 'Rejoice! The Saviour is Here' was also sung which is a carol written especially for the Church.
On the 23rd December some of the band played at Snow Drops Care Home in Hedge End at the invitation of Mike and Hilary. Residents of the care home had chosen their favourite carols and Mike wove them together with a few readings.
Christmas eve saw the band's annual trip to Bishopstoke Methodist Church for the informal carol service. A more laid back service saw the band perform 'Come and Join the Celebration', 'Ding Dong Merrily', 'Angels from the Realms of Glory' as well as the favourites '12 Days of Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells'.
The big day arrived and the band played on home turf at Chandler's Ford. A few ex-members turned out to bolster numbers as the band played for around 30mins outdoors as the congregation arrived. Then it was indoors to provide the music for the morning service led by Rev.Ruth Fry. 4 hymns/carols were played 'O Come all ye Faithful', 'See Him Lying on a bed of Straw', 'Good News to Bring' and finishing with 'Hark the Herald Angels Sings'.
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