Lisa Stansfield attends Youth Orchestra Christmas Spectacular

Lisa Stansfield at the RYO Christmas Spectacular

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Lisa Stansfield delighted the young members of Rochdale Youth Orchestra by attending the Orchestra's Christmas Spectacular at the Gracie Fields Theatre tonight (Saturday 15 December). Lisa, the President of the Orchestra, admitted to being nervous taking over from the late Malcolm Arnold as President, given as she said they came from very different musical backgrounds,  before saying how delighted she is to "support such excellent musicians".

The evening's musical extravaganza started with the Junior Orchestra, conducted by Sue Verity and led by Emily Hobhouse. The first set included Happy White Christmas, The Seasons (Vivaldi) and Mary's Boy Child, with compere Rod Barry singing, before the audience were invited to join in with Silent Night.

Then followed  a set with a sporting theme: Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Match of the Day and a Czechoslovakian Lullaby.

The audience were again invited to join in on a traditional Christmas Carol, Away in a Manger before the Juniors ended with Merry Christmas Everybody.

The Juniors were joined on stage by Rochdale Girls' Choir, conducted by Chris Willis and accompanied by Judith Golding. The Choir's repertoire started with We're the Future of Tomorrow and continued with, Christmas Past Meets Christmas Present, Shine Away and Away in a Manger before finishing with the choir's favourite, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.

The second half of the evening's entertainment came courtesy of RYO Senior Orchestra, conducted by Chris Gill and led by Rebecca Baines.

The Seniors began with March from Scipio, continued with Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Intermezzo from Don Giovanni, a Mozart piece arranged by former RYO President, the late Malcolm Arnold. The Seniors then brought their set to a close with Stand By Me.

Actress Meg Johnson, Pearl of Emmerdale fame, attending to watch her grandson in the Senior Orchestra, drew the raffle, before the finale with the Junior and Senior Orchestras’ and the Girls' Choir all on stage for stirring renditions of O Come All Ye Faithful and Once in Royal David's City.

Orchestra President Lisa Stansfield was then invited on stage by Sue Verity to lead the singing of White Christmas and remained on stage as the concert ended with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.