Amongst the hectic schedule of carol services the band was asked to play for the Sunday morning worship at Chandler's Ford Methodist church on Sunday 23rd December. A good turnout of 25 provided a well balanced and good sound for the service led by Rev. Andrew Bird. The introit was 'Come Lord Jesus' arr. Simon Farrenden followed by the first hymn 'Personent Hodie' from the Salvation Army's carol book 'New Christmas Praise'. This was followed by another arrangement by Simon 'There is a Light upon the Mountain', and 'Gabrielle's Message' again the New Christmas Praise. The final hymn was sung to the tune 'Woodlands. The band which included those returning home from university and work, Lizette, Jon, Danielle, Sabrina and Dan also played some seasonal music before and after the service.
Christmas wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for the band's annual trip to Bishopstoke Methodist Church to play for its carol service on Christmas eve. A large well balanced band of 27 turned out to play for a lively and fairly informal service starting with 'O Come all ye Faithful'. In all the band played for 13 mainly traditional carols although we did play alternative arrangements of 'Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer' and 'Mid-Winter' before finishing with 'Hark the Herald'.
The band's final engagement of the festive period was a two part event at Chandler's Ford Methodist Church on Christmas day. To start with 20 members of the band played carols outside the Church, for around half an hour, as people arrived for the morning service.
The band then moved inside to play for the service itself led by Rev. Sue Keegan von Allmen. The first piece played was 'Come Lord Jesus' arr. Simon Farrenden for the introit. The first couple of carols played were 'O Come all ye faithful' and 'Come and Join the Celebration'. The next four carols were all interspersed with a story read by Sue and bible readings read by Anne, those being 'Little Donkey', 'While Shepherds Watched', 'Away in a Manger' and 'See him Lying in a bed of Straw' ( The Calypso carol). For the offertory the band played an alternative arrangement of 'Mid-Winter' and finished the service with the final carol 'Joy to the World'.
