This was the 12th year that the Luton Concert Orchestra and Vauxhall Male Voice Choir have got together to present a Christmas festival of music and song. Since the inception of these traditional Yuletide concerts, over £15,000 has been raised for local charities. The concert was as usual designed for all the family – young and old – and comprised a wide selection of Christmas music, songs and carols both traditional and new. As always there were popular carols for the audience to sing.

There was a warm welcome again to the Dunstable Priory Girls’ Choir who sang a delightful selection of mainly sacred Christmas music, and of course the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir entertained the audience with music ranging from Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah to popular Christmas songs. The singing was contrasted by some light seasonal music from the Luton Concert Orchestra which, together with the audience carols, provided a very varied evening of Christmas music.

The Master of Ceremonies for the concert was Terry Driver, well-known in the area as a musical director and instrumentalist, not least as the musical director of the Luton Concert Orchestra until a couple of years ago.

The recipient charity selected for the concert was Kids in Action, a Dunstable-based charity that provides support and social opportunities for children and adults with special needs. The Charity’s aim is to make a positive difference to each individual, encouraging their participation in social activities, in a safe, non-judgemental environment as many experience isolation and loneliness.

Tickets were £10 with children under 12 getting in free.