Cash for Kids received the proceeds from Festive in Forres at St Laurence Church
A gig in a local church that is set to close for good raised nearly £2500 for underprivileged local children.
‘Festive in Forres’ at St Laurence Church from 2-5pm on Saturday December 14 - featuring RAF Lossiemouth Voluntary Band (LVB) and Military Wives Choir (MWC) Lossiemouth - was organised in aid of the Mission Christmas Cash for Kids campaign.
LVB bandmaster, Adrian Beckwith, from the Ministry of Defence confirmed more than 200 people attended, helping to raise £2432.31.
He said: “It was a real honour to be a part of the concert. We had the pleasure of performing in this unique and grand venue for a great cause.”
In the first half, LVB played compositions including ‘Christmas Festival’, ‘Sleigh Ride’, ‘Troika’ and ‘Frozen’ while MWC sang a selection from the ‘Home For Christmas’ album by the Military wives choir network.
Pilmuir Primary choir also sang ‘It’s a Magical Time’ and ‘It was on a Starry Night’ followed by Kinloss Primary choir with ‘Oh What a Wonderful Night’ and ‘Rejoice With Us’.
“Sleigh Ride is always a favourite,” said Adrian, “as well as Christmas at the Movies. ‘A Jazzy Christmas’ was also a foot tapper!
“The church acoustics are excellent, with a good level of natural reverb. They remind me of Air Studios in London, a major recording venue for artists and orchestras worldwide which I’ve recorded in.”
After the interval and servings of drinks and mince pies, MWC played ‘Christmas at the Movies’ and ‘A Jazzy Christmas’ then MWC sang ‘Let It Snow’ and ‘Jingle Bells’.
The audience then joined in on carols ‘Joy to the World’, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Ding Dong Merrily’.
MWC spokeswoman, Jenn French, explained their songs are uniquely arranged.
“They are all very dear to us,” she said. “Each has our special twist on the lyrics. They were warmly received and we got a Christmas buzz singing them!”
Both groups were sorry to hear that the Church of Scotland is set to close St Laurence Church for good at the end of the month unless a community group steps up with an alternative future for the building.
“The venue has spectacular acoustics and lends itself very well to musical events,” said Jenn. “It would be terribly sad to see it close for good.
“We’ve always enjoyed singing in the church. It’s in a good state of repair and has great facilities.”
“It really is a shame,” finished Adrian. “The church is beautiful from both outside and inside!”
