‘Tis the season to be musical…..

Christmas means music to many people. Even if they never go to a concert, church service or sing a note for the other eleven months of the year, come December most people won’t begin to feel Christmassy until they hear the first notes of a traditional carol – or the opening chords of a “Christmas Number One” piped over the speakers in a department store.

Who are the music makers who create the spirit of Christmas for us in Suffolk and Norfolk – and is it a magical time for them, or just a lot of hard work?

Concert halls, churches, and theatres across our area will be hosting carol concerts organised by charities, orchestras and choirs through December, so wherever you live there is the chance to enjoy seasonal music.In our churches and cathedrals the choirs will be facing one of their busiest times, and accompanying the choirs and the congregations are the hard-working organists. John Ottley plays the organ for services at parish churches in Rougham, Beyton and Hessett, villages in West Suffolk. He was a choirboy as a child and has been an organist for 52 years.   

At such a busy time and with three churches to play for, he and the Rector fit in all the Christmas services by doing a lot of rushing around………

Read more in the December edition of Suffolk Norfok Life… in shops from 30 November.