Mary-Jess Charity Christmas Concert a Great Success.
For The Door Youth Project, in partnership with Ignition.
Crowds flocked to St. Matthews Church in Cainscross last weekend to hear the sensational singing voice of Mary-Jess. The spell bound audience left with the feeling that they had just been to a West End show. The excited audience started gathering to claim the best seats, 45 minutes before the start, with some having travelled from Bristol and even Kingston-on-Thames.
“The quality and standard was far more than we had expected.”
The evening started with some community carol sing, which was lead by Mary-Jess. This provided a taste of what was in store, as even more audience members commented, “this is going to be something special.”
“Such a moving and emotional evening.”
Although Mary-Jess was the headline, that had drawn the crowd, her comment before the event was that she was really looking forward to hearing young people from the The Door’s Undiscovered Youth Talent Contest perform. These four were also given the opportunity to sing on stage during the carols, with Mary-Jess. The four, Charlene Williams, Megan Strachan, Bryony Purdue and Rosita De Silva Teixeira, all more or less said the same afterwards, “we will remember tonight for the rest of our lives”.
Stroud Symphony Orchestra conductor, Jonathan Trim, achieved a wonderful sound from his gathered ensemble, as he skilfully conducted musicians and engaged with his audience. Anderson’s Sleigh Ride injected humour and fun, whilst Pastorale from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, for some marked the start of Christmas.
Mary-Jess performed songs from her album Shine and introduced a selection of new exciting and moving songs. By the end of the evening there was hardly a dry eye in the house. After she had performed, and after her standing ovation, she explained that The Door Youth Project had given her the confidence to sing classical music, reaching out beyond the boundaries that her peers would impress upon her. This is why she had chosen to become a Patron for the Charity that had motivated her.
“It was a wonderful night and I think many people were surprised. Often young people are stereo-typed and prejudged. The evening has certainly undone a lot of pre-misconceptions. We had young people performing, working on the door, greeting people and serving refreshments. Together they have achieved something that is amazing and they helped to raise over £500.”
Mary-Jess actually sold out of CD’s on the evening, but these are available for purchase and download here.