ONE Voice choir and the Dorset Sinfonia orchestra combined to perform Joel Raney’s Let the Whole World Sing, a Christmas musical in two concerts at Dorchester’s Dorford Centre and St John’s Church in Weymouth.

Dorchester Mayor Peter Mann was in attendance at the Dorchester concert while Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Kate Wheller went to the Weymouth concert.

The piece was well received in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative audience.

The music contained contrasting interludes. From the Celtic lilt of In the Bleak Midwinter and Hear the News of Christmas to the African rhythms of Come, Come, Emmanuel, through to the Caribbean-styled Christ is Born, Sing Noel! and the Middle Eastern motives of Rise Up, Shepherd, these arrangements gently underscore the universality of the gospel message.

New music blended with familiar carols in a wide variety of styles to create an interesting and fresh re-telling of the Christmas story.

Grazina Ellis, music director of One Voice had found this musical gem and approached David Ansell, music director of the Dorset Sinfonia to join forces.

Under David’s leadership and with narrator Ian Thomas, the groups enhanced each other’s performance to present a well rounded, exciting rendition.