”The quality of the performance was superb and the soloists excellent”. ”Congratulations to the choir”, ”fantastic performance”, ”It was wonderful”.

Just a few of the many comments received after Ryton Chorale performed Handel’s Messiah at the Crossing Church on Saturday, 29 March.

The choir was ably led by Nicholas Thorpe who has been so supportive of the choir and this time was leading the choir in the absence of their Musical Director, Sierra Farquhar Wulff who is on Maternity leave. English Pro Musica, a professional orchestra based at Nottingham Trent University provided a marvelous and supportive Chamber Orchestra under the leadership of Melissa Woodhead. The solo trumpeter was Kieron O Brien.

Soloists were Rachel Abbott (Soprano), Charlotte Woodhead (Alto), Alex Kirkland (Tenor) and Andrew Randall (Bass). On the organ was the choir’s much respected accompanist Jack Pickford.