The 25th Christmas Extravaganza

Over 600 youngsters are taking part in the Gwent Music Support Service and the Rotary Club of St Woolos, Newport Christmas Extravaganza. This will be the 25th anniversary of the Christmas Extravaganza Concert and we hope that you can join us for this special celebratory event which promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Six different orchestras, bands and ensembles will be on stage while the Greater Gwent Youth Brass Ensemble provides a warm welcome to all with their Christmas Carols in the foyer.

The Extravaganza will open with the Newport Music Centre Senior Wind Band. The players aged 12 to 18 meet on a weekly basis during term time at the Newport Music Centre under the direction of Joanne Hornsby.

Next we have a magnificently display of Taiko Drumming from the children of Marshfield Primary School under the direction of David Powell. This is a quite recent initiative for Gwent Music Support Service but has been embraced wholeheartedly and enthusiastically by all those taking part.

They are followed by the Greater Gwent Schools Brass Band who meet on a monthly basis with their director Sean O’Neill and to finish the first half, Paul Hornsby takes the stage with the Newport City Big Band - always a popular contribution to the programme.

After a short interval the second half of the show opens with the Isca Linea Symphonia. The 200 plus members of this group under the direction of Peter James, meet once a month at the Caerleon Music Centre. Their programme is always guaranteed to delight and entertain and this year is no exception!

The 220 strong Newport Schools Choir directed by Alyson Jones will entertain with their seasonal programme and will be accompanied by a Gwent Music Support Service staff ensemble. This choir is made up of children from Brynglas, the Gaer, Glan Usk, Glasllwch, Llanmartin, Maesglas, Pentrepoeth & Ringland Primary Schools alongside students from Duffryn High School.

Finally, to close this year’s Christmas Extravaganza Isca Linea Symphonia return for a spectacular finale performance of ‘Live & Let Die’. This fitting end to the concert will also feature contributions from the Newport Brass Ensemble and the Newport Schools Choir.