YORK Opera’s annual carol concert, Joy To The World, will be celebrated at the National Centre for Early Music, York, on December 21 at 7.30pm.

The company has had a little over four weeks since its Theatre Royal production of Patience to put together a programme of carols old and new from home and abroad, with solos, ensembles, readings and full chorus items.

With the choir containing several soloists from Patience and other York Opera productions, alongside the regular strong chorus, they hope to raise the roof in the jolliest carols, while giving due deference to the more delicate and thoughtful items. The programme will range from traditional Yorkshire settings to individual items from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. Soloists will include Rebecca Smith, Hilary Dyson and Ian Thomson Smith. Pauline Marshall and Clive Goodhead will conduct the choir and the singing – including audience participation – will be accompanied by Tim Tozer.

"The concert will be our usual mix of chorus pieces, small ensembles, solos and readings: some well-known favourites and others which we hope will be new to you. Maybe cowboys?! Maybe bagpipes?!" says Pauline Marshall.

Tickets are on sale at £12, £8 for students, at ncem.co.uk, on 01904 655338 and on the door. Joy To The World will be previewed at Acomb Methodist Church, Front Street, on December 16 in a 3pm matinee performance; tickets are available from the church and on 01904 795740 and maybe on the door, if any remain unsold.