What a busy Christmas for Sonara, we have sung with 3 different brass bands and two choirs.

First off was a wonderful set of carols with Heage Brass Band for Ripley Christmas lights switch on – the market place was packed – it was a lovely community event.

Next up was the Women’s Work Charity Winter Concert where we joined by Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir, the Women’s Work choir and a wonderful harpist in the glorious St Mary’s Church on Bridgegate Derby. 

Only a couple of days later and we were at St Andrews Church Swanwick for our annual concert with Matlock Brass Band where the audience were also treated to solos from our guest Elisabeth Kershaw as well as amazing home made cakes.

Next up was a carol service as part of St Martins Alfreton Christmas Tree Festival where we sang with Darley Dale Brass Band with some amazing trees and what can only be described as a fabulous version of The 12 Days of Christmas.   After an evening of entertaining the residents of a local care home, last up for the season was carols and Christmas songs in Derby Market Hall where we were raising money for The Salvation Army. 

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped or supported us at any of these events and wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2026.

We were proud to be a part of an amazing community event in Ripley on Sunday 23^rd November for the Christmas Market and Lights Switch on.

There was a great crowd and the weather stayed dry for everyone to enjoy some traditional Carols as well as some Christmas classics – all accompanied by Heage band.

It was a fabulous if chilly afternoon and was followed by a curry for many of us, organised by the worderful Jan – one of our middles.

What a great night we had at St Mary Magdalene Church at Hucknall on Saturday 20^th September where we were singing with our friends Oakie Dokie – an a Capella quartet.

Whilst the weather was not kind, the audience were and we raised more than £600.00 for the charity DEBRA.  DEBRA is the patient support group for people affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB) which is a painful condition causing the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch. There is currently no cure for the condition but the charity works hard to improve the lives of everyone affected by EB which is commonly referred to as “butterfly skin”.

The programme had something for everyone and included a geography lesson with the amazing amount of places mentioned in Enya’s Orinocco Flow.  We included a great section acknowledging some of the great women in music with a medley of songs by girl bands from 1963 and our amazing version of Hey Big Spender.  Oakie Dokie kept everyone tapping their feet with a wonderful set of songs and we ended the programme together singing “You Raise Me Up”.  I definitely think we lifted everyone’s spirits – it was a fantastic night.