December 15, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 16, 1429

KARACHI: Santa Claus is Coming to Town was the tune being hummed when this writer entered the Alliance Francaise on Saturday night, where a special Christmas concert was organised by the Karachi Vocal Ensemble.

This year the ensemble, which has performed off and on in the city since 2004, included 10 junior performers. The newcomers joined 16 senior choir members in the soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections to present 18 songs.

Although Christmas carols are not everyone’s cup of tea, it was interesting to observe that the audience not only appreciated the performance, but also applauded; some even singing along, especially with the junior cast members, who presented six numbers.

No Xmas concert can be complete without Silent Night, Holy Night being performed, and this time-tested carol was sung excellently by the ensemble, with an accompanying guitarist.

Pianist Ayesha Victoria Tariq, who just a few months ago enthralled Karachians with her remarkable rendition of Chopin and Mozart, once again performed outstandingly in her solo performance. Her fingers flowed harmoniously on the keyboard as she presented Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Troika from his set of 12 short character pieces titled Seasons.

Austen Freitas was also impressive in his rendition of the Christmas song.

Other popular songs performed that night included Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, Silver Bells, Carol of the Bells, White Christmas, Mr Santa, Winter Wonderland, and Lonely Midnight. Even though we live in times where divisions between different communities and ethnicities are becoming more pronounced by the day, the last song of the night, We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year saw everyone from the audience joining in. The chorus rang through the gathering, creating positive feelings amongst all present.

Omar Jamil, who gives piano lessons at the National Academy of Performing Arts, was the main organiser of the show.