Last year’s Advent concert in 2023 at Alfriston was such a success that we decided to do it again in 2024. Four well-known local singers – Noa Lachman, Rebecca Hughes, Ben Hancox-Lachman and Jozik Kotz – kicked off the festive season with an inspiring and sometimes amusing selection of seasonal music.

Beginning with early Latin motets by composers such as Palestrina and Victoria they explored a rich tapestry of vocal music in German, Russian, French and English to tell the story of Advent and the birth of Christ before moving to some lighter Christmas numbers to round things off. Some of the works included in the concert were:
Exultate Justi by Viadana, O magnum mysterium and Ave Maria by Victoria, Virga Jesse, duet from Bach Magnificat, Laudamus te, from Vivaldi, Noel nouvelet. arranged by Rutter, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day and Here we come a wassailing. We will finish off with some light pieces including Winter wonderland and Santa Claus is Coming to Town both beautiful arrangements by Kirby Shaw.