Greenhill School's main hall was packed last Wednesday night for the annual Creative Arts department's Christmas Concert.

Although children come and go, Greenhill's Creative Arts department continues to go from strength to strength and the remarkable musicianship and singing talent on display was testament to this consistency, enthralling the audience with the quality and range of the programme.

Opening the programme were the talented youngsters of the school's intermediate orchestra, conducted by Chris Llewellyn and led by Andrew Birch.

Such is the standard of musicianship at the school that the intermediate orchestra more that matched up to the demands of pieces only the senior orchestra would have tackled some years ago.

With many musicians, and their instruments, festively decorated in keeping with the season, the intermediate orchestra began with Sunrise, from Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra, before changing tack with McCartney and Laine's classic Mull of Kintyre.

They then turned to the movies to end their rousing set with Horner's My Heart Will Go On, from Titanic, and I Will Follow Him, from Sister Act.

In only their second public appearance, the Greenhill School Choir delighted all with John Higgon's Spirit's Gonna Get You, Ebol Bychan (Little Donkey) and Emerson's Born this Day.

Conductor was Sarah Ellison and accompanist was Mr. Paul Rapi.

The School's Concert Band provided an excellent finale to the first half of the programme with the Jerry Nowak arrangement of Giorgio Moroder's Flashdance (What a feeling) and a superb selection from, what is perhaps one of the best musicals of all time, Boublil and Schoenberg's Les Miserables.

Conductor was Mr. Neil Martin, while the lead was flautist Ellen Dennis.

Although the first half had concluded, the music did not stop during the interval, with Mr. Martin and the school Jazz Band providing a foot-tapping selection to accompany teas and coffees served by the PTA.

During the interval, the raffle organised by members of the Supporters of Greenhill Orchestra - who also provided the prizes along with Tesco Stores - was drawn by the evening's inimitable compere, Mr. Newman Vincent.

After the break, the school's Chamber Orchestra brought a taste of the early 18th century to the hall with the first movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.

Conductor was Mr. Paul Rapi, while leader was Robert Hodge.

Soloists were Louise Haines (recorder), Jamie Hutchinson (violin) and Mike Jones (harpsichord).

During a natural break in the programme to allow the full School Orchestra to assemble, the school and SOGO took the opportunity to thank Mr. Phil Thompson, of Texaco, and Mr. Simon Toy, of N. D. Toy and Partners, for their financial contributions which had enabled the music department to purchase three keyboards and an amplifier for the use of students.

The concert continued with the full orchestra, led by Jamie Hutchinson under the baton of Mr. Rapi, putting everyone in festive mood with Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride.

A spirited rendition of Suite No. 2 (Montagues and Capulets) from Prokofieff's Romeo and Juliet followed, before a carol medley by Ron Goodwin rounded off the evening in true Christmas style.

Headmaster Mr. Chris Noble concluded proceedings by thanking the performers, soloists and Mr. Vincent for an entertaining evening.

He also offered thanks to all those who had sponsored the orchestra over the year, particularly Mr. Toy and Mr. Thompson.

Special thanks went to SOGO, an organisation of predominantly parents, who fronted concerts and took care of administration.

"We are very grateful to these people because they care enough about the school to do this work," he said.

Finally, he thanked Mr. Rapi, Mr. Martin, Mr. Llewellyn and Miss Ellison for all their hard work.

"All this exists because of what they, and so many others do," he said.