Singing, Santa and Snow

Santa took a break out of his busy schedule to stop off at the York Community Carol Concert on Sunday.

Although the weather was cold outside, it was snowing heavily inside the Barbican.

As children from the audience sang Away in a Manger the man in red appeared with chocolates for all those who had made their way to the front of the hall to show they could sing as well as those performing on stage.

A great afternoon was enjoyed by a bumper sell-out audience.

Andrew Foster and Adam Tomlinson hosted the two hour long concert and entertained all with their impromptu anecdotes and magic tricks.

York Light Youth Choir started with the traditional Once in Royal David's City, followed later with Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmas Time finishing with a very polished Jingle Bell Rock.

Hempland Starlings entertained with an all-action "Cold Snap" and "O Holy Night".

Mike Pratt conducted the community carols, the audience favourite being While Shpherds Watched sung to the music of Yorkshire's national anthem "Ilkley Moor".

The combined choirs of over 100 children from All Saints RC School - sang Carol of the Bells, followed by John Rutter's Candlelight Carol.

Shepherd Group Youth Band, conducted by their musical director, Craig Brown, were on stage all afternoon entertaining the audience as they arrived to take their seats and accompanying the community Carols.

Their special slot of Jingle Bell Swing was videod live for a band "Jingle Bell Challenge" on facebook.

Andrew and Adam performed an amusing Twelve Days of Christmas (with actions) before Steve Cassidy joined with the ensemble for a Christmas Medley of Mary's Boy Child and Let it Snow.

Two lucky ladies, Rosemary Fox and Karen Simpson, left the concert with a large Christmas hamper each, donated by Tesco Extra Askham Bar and Clifton Moor after their seat numbers were selected by Santa Claus on his departure.