From the haunting opening notes of Vijay Singh's 'Medieval Gloria' to the dynamic arrangement of the very popular English carol, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', the Concert of Christmas Music presented by The Ensemble Singers at Wesley Methodist Church on Sunday was a delight. The interesting and varied programme explored the tradition of Christian choral works across the centuries and from many countries.

The rich timbre of the local ensemble was embellished with the clear voice of guest soprano Andrea Dawson and musical accompaniment by guest organist John Oss, both visiting from Spokane, Washington.

A fan of early music, I enjoyed immensely the opening piece by Vijay Singh, 'Medieval Gloria', sung in two parts by male voices accompanied by a tabor, and sung in the narthex of the church before the choir processed up the aisles and into the choir loft. As the music filled the space, my 21st century stresses faded away and I was reminded that the Christmas message has brought peace and hope through millennia.

The first part of the programme was dedicated to Ann-Marie DeFontes, a member of the choir who recently passed away and whose family have donated a scholarship in her memory. The works sung in this part included the bright, joyous 'Sir Christemas' by William Mathias and Roger Wagner's arrangement of the familiar carol 'Angels We Have Heard on High'.

A technical glitch left some of the audience following the programme slightly confused in the next section, but Andrea Dawson's beautiful rendition of 'Rejoice Greatly' from Handel's Messiah and John Ireland's 'The Holy Boy' embellished with the sweet sounds of Brittney Ferriera's violin left many none the wiser.

The remainder of the concert included populist carols from Europe, and the Negro spiritual 'Jesus Lay Your Head in the Window', the high, haunting notes of the flute played by Sarah Trott sailing over the rich baritone of Davidson Bishop. John Oss was also given the opportunity to put the recently-restored Casavant organ to the test with more technical works like Richard Purvis' 'Carol Rhapsody', an interesting and lively arrangement that included harp and bell stops.

The audience had a chance to sing their hearts out too, with invitation to join in on 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' and 'Good King Wenceslas'. The latter brought the programme beyond Christmas into the 'Feast of St. Stephen' and 'Twelfth Night', with the choir wishing its appreciative audience 'May God bless you and send you a Happy New Year' with their rendition of the traditional Yorkshire 'Wassail Carol'.

The well-rehearsed, 22-member ensemble under the direction of Lloyd Matthew confidently met the challenges of this delightful Christmas programme. One continues to marvel that a community the size of Bermuda is able to sustain a rich musical tradition and attract overseas musicians of such calibre. The example of King Wenceslas before us, 'Ye who now will bless the poor, Shall yourselves find blessing', we came away feeling truly blessed.