Christmas concert at St Georges

Maleny’s renowned St Georges-in-the-Hills concert series is back with a Christmas Concert on Saturday December 5 at 4pm. It will be staged in the church and hall, corner Tallowwood Street and Walkers Drive.

Priest-in-charge Reverend Ann Shepperson said Sunday services were now being held in the church with great success, so they have the experience to make a start safely with the concert series.

“We can fit 80 people, properly distanced, in our church and the attached hall, so we are excited to be able to offer a special concert at the end of this difficult year. We will also broadcast the concert on Zoom so those who are not able to come in person can see and hear the concert with their whole family in the comfort of their living room,” she said.

Coordinated by local professional musician — harpist, singer, choirmaster, teacher Kim Kirkman, the concert will have a variety style program together with popular Christmas singalong opportunity for the audience.

“It will feature some lovely classical Christmas pieces, some early music and a cappella singing from the choir. Soloists will include Barry Woods, and the stunning voice of Emily Davies who was so popular in our concert last year,” he said.

The concert will include former Ten Tenors star Kim Kirkman who will conduct the choir, sing and also play his harp. 

A fun addition will be a surprise comedy song with local singer Trish Bagshaw.

It will also feature poems read by Chris and Judi Ross-Smith, with some Christmas legends, The Grey Spider and Thomas Hardy’s The Oxen from Judi. Chris will read the rollicking Australian verse by David Martin, A Bush Christmas; and a poem, appropriately titled Advent Calendar, by Rowan Williams.

Prices have been capped at $20 for seats in the church or $15 if you want to sit at home on Zoom. Tickets for both are available at Trybooking.com.au or by phoning Trish Bagshaw on 0448989621.

“Every member of the audience will go home with a little packet of goodies prepared by two of our wonderful guild ladies, and we will have a special Christmas hamper to raffle,” Revd Shepperson said.

Concert coordinator Kim Kirkman with his harp.