Norfolk concert honours church choir founder
 Gorleston Community Choir is to perform at a big Christmas Celebration at St. Andrew’s Church which will partly be in memory of the choir’s founder, Jackie Whiting, who died in early September after a short illness at the age of 49.
A Christmas Celebration sees the acclaimed Norwich Citadel Band of the Salvation Army appearing at the church for the first time in many years. The event on Friday, December 9 at 7.30 will feature carols and seasonal music as well as a guest appearance from the 90-strong community choir.
The concert will raise money for St. Andrew’s building needs and has been planned since the beginning the year. Jackie Whiting was an active member of the church and its fabric fund raising committee which is why she had agreed so readily to take part and was helping to organise the evening.
Mrs. Whiting founded the choir in January 2009 expecting to attract around 30 to 40 people, but around 80 turned up. It has gone on to enjoy considerable success and has been involved in a variety of fund raising ventures. It was her wish that the choir should continue, and her son, Christopher, has taken over as musical director. The choir sang at her funeral at St.Andrew’s.
The Norwich Salvation Army Band is one of the best known in the country and is regularly in demand for concerts and overseas tours which has seen them go in recent years to both the States and Scandinavia.
They made appearances at the former St. Andrew’s Festival but this will be the first time they have taken part in a Christmas concert at the church. Former BBC Rado Norfolk presenter Tony Mallion will compere the evening.
Brian Philpot, from St. Andrew’s who is organising the concert, said: “There’s nothing quite the sound of the Salvation Army at Christmas and we felt it would be so good to put them together with the Community Choir in this way for a big celebration. It will be even more special now, since it has also become a tribute to Jackie Whiting. We are expecting a full house for the evening.”
Tickets are on sale now at £5 each from St.Andrew's Church Office 01493 656078. Office open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am to 12.30; Wednesdays from 2pm until 5pm, and on Fridays from 9am until 3pm.
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