Festive harmonies fill local church for Concordia Christmas concert
By Ryan Parker/Jonathan White 21st Dec 2025
By Ryan Parker/Jonathan White 21st Dec 2025
A Christmas concert featuring the acclaimed chamber choir Concordia brought festive cheer to St Mary's Church in Acton, near Nantwich, on the evening of Saturday 13 December.
The event, titled A Little Christmas with Concordia, treated audiences to a rich programme of seasonal favourites performed in the beautiful and atmospheric surroundings of the Grade I-listed church.
Concert-goers also had the chance to support the church through a seasonal hamper raffle held during the evening.
Concordia was formed in the summer of 2020, when a small group of singers met outdoors to sing socially distanced during the pandemic.
Since then, the choir has grown into a much-loved local ensemble, praised for its uplifting harmonies and joyful performances. The choir is led by Musical Director Alison Phillips, with John Gough accompanying on piano.
The first half of the concert featured a wide-ranging selection of choral works, including Nativity Carol by John Rutter, A tender shoot by Kerensa Briggs, Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre and traditional favourites such as Sans Day Carol and The holly and the ivy.
Following an interval, during which guests enjoyed refreshments, Concordia returned with more familiar festive classics, including Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
The choir was made up of sopranos Becky Daniels, Helen Eite, Mary Harris and Ruby Hart; altos Gilly Liebeck, Eve Powers, Rachael Roach and Tiki Wilson; tenors Philip Jackson and Paul O'Brien; and basses Neil Phillips, Nigel Phipps and Nick Smith.
Accompanist John Gough, who was born and brought up in Chester, is an internationally respected pianist, accompanist and broadcaster.
His distinguished career has taken him across Britain and Europe and to Carnegie Hall in New York, with performances alongside major orchestras and regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. He is a familiar and much-valued presence in the musical life of St Mary's.
Adding further sparkle to the evening were the 28 uniquely decorated Christmas trees from the church's ninth annual Christmas Tree Festival, which remained on display for concert-goers.
This year's theme, A Storybook Christmas, inspired imaginative designs based on well-loved tales and characters, enhanced by atmospheric lighting and large wooden stars adorning the church exterior.
Earlier in the evening, a significant charitable moment was marked when Stephan Davies of St Mary's Acton presented a cheque for £2,410 to Joe O'Leary, Chairman of the Nantwich and District Royal British Legion.
The funds were raised at The Proms Acton concert on Remembrance Sunday and will support the Royal British Legion's work with the Armed Forces community and their families.
A representative from St Mary's Acton told Nub News: "It was a truly magical evening and a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas in our church.
"Concordia's music, combined with the beauty of the building and our Christmas Tree Festival, created a very special atmosphere.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the concert and helped raise vital funds to preserve St Mary's for future generations."
Proceeds from the concert will go towards the ongoing preservation of St Mary's Church, which has long served as a focal point for the local community.
Concordia will next sing Compline for Candlemas at St Mary's Church in Nantwich on Sunday 1 February 2026 at 6pm.
READ MORE: Nantwich Swimmer, 23, completes English Channel challenge for charity.
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