The Chapter House Choir was joined by the Railway Institute Brass Band in York Minster last Friday for their annual carol concert.

Performances by each were interspersed with sets from the choir’s handbell ringers, presenting a variety of Christmas favourites. The bells were a bit hushed for the huge acoustic of the nave, but the humour of ‘Jingle Bells’ – with some ringers commanding four bells each – more than made up for this.

The choir filled the space with a focussed and precise sound and whilst the performance was always top-notch, some arrangements would have been better left unwrapped. A ponderous arrangement of ‘Es ist ein Ros entsprungen’ and an oddly lumbering ‘God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen’ were low points.

However, the opening processional and a wonderful rendition of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ were entirely convincing, whilst further traditional carols ticked the right boxes. Some of the more recent arrangements were pleasing additions to the programme.

Ruth McConnell’s solo that opened ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ was brave and heartfelt, especially given the Minster was sold-out. The audience participation was equally earnest if a little subdued.

The Railway Institute Band was on top form, from the raucous to the wistful. Malcolm Watson’s flugelhorn solo in ‘Away in a Manger’ was particularly stirring, whilst ‘Christmas Eve Sarajevo’ showed the band at full volume, truly filling the space.

The inclusion of a compère was an irritating and unnecessary addition to what was otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Get your tickets early for 2015.