IT was members evening at the Bury and District Music Circle on the last meeting before Christmas.

Mr George Cruice opened with three songs, Countdown to Christmas 1-2-3. First a solo My Hero from the Chocolate Soldier, a duet the Barcarolle from the Tales of Hoffman and a trio, Farewell from Cosi-Fan-Tutte.

Mr Michael Blunt followed with the Fairytale for Cello and Piano by Janacek. Mrs Linda Taylor contributed Lyra Angelica the third movement of William Olwyn's Concerto for Harp and Strings. Mr Donald Gibson presented two Russian songs by Rachmaninov and Mrs Barbara Smith took us to the interval with a festive touch. First The Skaters Waltz by Waldteufel, followed by Walking in the Air from The Snowman.

Mr Roger Heywood opened the second half with Kabalevsky's Suite The Comedians, Mr Harry Howarth played the overture and an aria from Mozart's opera The Abduction from the Seraglio and the Andante from his Piano Concerto No 21.

Mrs Sheila Magnall brought the programme to a close with a seasonal finale, Kijes Wedding and the Troika Song, from Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije Suite. Several of the items were new to the circle and it was nice to hear the whole of Kabalevsky's Suite rather than just the well known gallop.

The chairman thanked vice chair Mrs Rene Taylor for organizing and coordinating the items and the members for participating in a very pleasant programme.

Our next meeting is on Friday, January 6, when Mr J Sowden will present 'All Time Greats'.