Pudsey and pop for Snape in 2009

By Rachel Sloane
BBC Suffolk

Hadleigh High School's Close Harmony appeared in Bury St Edmunds in 2008

BBC Suffolk's annual Christmas Carol Concert returns to Snape Maltings in 2009 with a varied programme.

The Pakefield Singers and North Suffolk Youth Choir will be joined by jazz big band the Horn Factory as well as Hammond organist the Reverend Simpkins.

It takes place on Saturday 5 December and raises money for the BBC's Children in Need appeal.

BBC Suffolk is recording the concert and highlights will be broadcast, as usual, on Christmas Day.

Pudsey is practising his scales and searching for his baton! Yes, rehearsals have begun for what will be our seventh concert.

Continuing the tradition of something old and something new, there will be the chance to sing your favourite carols and hear some great singers and musicians at Snape Maltings Concert Hall.

Reverend Simpkins is a regular on the Suffolk gig circuit

Much of the music will be provided by Horn Factory, the local jazz big band who have happily agreed to depart from their usual repertoire and find some great arrangements of seasonal music which they will perform in their amazing style.

For some years we have wanted to include some Christian pop or blues in the line-up and it was at a recording session at BBC Suffolk's Drivetime show with Stephen Foster that the answer suddenly became obvious.

Reverend Matt Simpkins will play a set and also accompany a couple of the carols, possibly on his Hammond or other electric organs.

Wise choice

We have four choirs performing this year.

Led by Vetta Wise, The Pakefield Singers and the North Suffolk Youth Choir will make the journey down the A12 to thrill us with their wonderful harmonies.

The Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society, although famous in Suffolk for their brilliant musicals, also perform an annual Sounds Familiar concert that confirms their status as having some of the best singers in the county.

With a sprig of tinsel and some great music, they will also help to get us in the mood for Christmas.

BBC Suffolk's Georgina Wroe gave a humorous reading in 2008

We always feel it is important at a Children in Need concert to include a younger children's choir and Colneis Junior School, Felixstowe is the latest one to join us and are sure to steal the show!

As always, BBC Suffolk presenters will be doing readings of seasonal poems and prose.

Nick Risby will keep the whole thing going in his role of compere/host and the wonderful BBC Suffolk engineers will record the concert so that the musical highlights will accompany your celebrations on Christmas Day.

Ticket details

The concert has sold-out, but you may be able to check with the box office for returns.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £6 for under-16s and at least 45% goes to Children in Need. Visit Snape Maltings Concert Hall or phone [phone].