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FESTIVE FUN AT FREEMASONS’ HALL


The performers lined up in the processional corridor to go onstage led by W. Bros Keith Mitchell and Rick Wakeman.


T


here was fun for all the family at the Metropolitan Grand Lodge


and Metropolitan Grand Chapter Family Festive Concert, which was held on Thursday, 11th December 2014 at Freemasons’ Hall. Organised by W. Bro Keith R


Mitchell, JGD, MetGInsp and his team, the event was a roaring success with tickets for the event in the Grand Temple selling out very quickly indeed. Host for the evening was W. Bro Rick Wakeman of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098, a well-known entertainer and former keyboard player in rock band ‘Yes’. Providing the entertainment were the St. Anne’s Camerata conducted by John Traill, with Simon Debruslais playing solo trumpet, the Oxfordshire Youth Chamber Choir, the Oxfordshire


WINTER 2014


Youth Brass Ensemble and of course, the Celtic London Pipes and Drums band. The event, which was attended by


a number of officers from Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter, including the Metropolitan Grand Master, Russell Race, the Deputy Metropolitan Grand Superintendent, Chris Frankland, the Metropolitan Grand Secretary, David Swain and numerous Metropolitan Grand Inspectors from both Craft and Chapter, was attended by a large number of Brethren, their families and friends. Following a short introduction from Bro. Wakeman, proceedings got underway with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem sung by all in attendance and played on the temporary Grand Temple Organ. The programme, which was


designed to reflect the diverse nature of Freemasonry, took the audience through music relevant to a plethora of cultures, the sounds of which were expertly provided by St. Anne’s Camerata and the Oxfordshire Youth Brass Ensemble. These were of course interspersed with traditional


carols such as “Ding Dong Merrily on High”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, and “Good King Wenceslas Looked Out” all of which were introduced with interesting trivia and some humour by the compere. The highlights of the evening


though were the moving renditions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Elgar’s ‘The Snow’, sung beautifully by the choristers of the Oxfordshire Youth Chamber Choir and of course, the magnificent entrance of the Celtic London Pipes and Drums to much applause. A splendid evening was concluded


with a rendition of ‘Hark the Herald’ and the National Anthem followed by a recession of the musicians led by the Celtic London Pipes and Drums. As the Brethren, their families and friends made their way out into the cold winter night there was a discernible feel good factor and many patrons were overheard saying that they will be back next year when hopefully, the newly refurbished organ in the Grand Temple should only add to the spectacle.


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