Kate Edgar Choirs to take part in Wassail! by Alexander L'Estrange

On Monday, December 9, Kate Edgar Choirs in Salisbury will welcome back Alexander L’Estrange to conduct his festive choral work: Wassail! Carols of Comfort and Joy.

This follows the choirs' previous sell-out performances of Alexander L'Estrange's Ahoy! Songs of the Mary Rose and Zimbe! Come Sing the Songs of Africa.

Alexander L'Estrange's Zimbe (Image: ASH MILLS) The choirs will join The Poudre Wassail Singers from Colorado, USA, Chafyn Grove School Choir and The Call Me Al Jazz Quintet.

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Wassail! is a sequence of 12 uplifting folk-inspired Christmas songs, exploring both sacred and secular aspects of the festive season, including favourites such as The Sussex Carol, Gaudete and The Holly and the Ivy.

Wassail! will form the second half of the concert, with performances by each individual choir in the first half.

There will be refreshments in the interval, and all proceeds from this concert will go to the Salisbury Branch of Cancer Research UK.

Alexander L'Estrange said: "I'm delighted to be returning to Salisbury for my third collaboration with the wonderful Kate and Becky, following the successes of Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose, in 2016 and Zimbe! Come Sing the songs of Africa, in 2019.

"I'm bringing my five piece jazz band to Wilton, and this time we'll be joined by the Poudre Wassail Singers from Colorado, USA, who are on a short tour of the UK. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them in America, and they and their leader Scott Wheeler are absolutely first-rate.

"I can't wait to hear two of Kate's wonderful choirs join forces with one of the most exciting children's choirs in the USA, as well as the brilliant Chafyn Grove School Choir under their Leader, Becky Arch.” 

Wassail will be performed at 7pm in the Italianate Church at Wilton, renowned for its stunning acoustics. Tickets are available online from this link.