SKIPTON Choral Society has overcome a number of challenges and changes as they get ready to perform their Christmas concert at Christ Church, Skipton, at 7:30pm on Saturday.

When they started planning this concert, their musical director, Toby Wardman, was keen to include some unusual carols. He saw this as a way he could develop the choir’s repertoire to include composers and songs that would be interesting, challenging and enjoyable.

Neither he nor the choir anticipated the extent of the changes they would face.

A sudden change in the job market required Toby to move abroad to develop his career.

Once again the choir started searching for a new musical director, barely a year since Toby’s appointment.

That process is almost finished, and they hope to announce an appointment very soon.

They have also been fortunate to persuade Robert Webb to act as their interim conductor until a new musical director takes over.

Sally Goodman, chairman of Skipton Choral Society, said: “This concert is a crucial step in the choir’s development. It was planned around the theme of Pairs of Carols – Traditional with Unusual, with contrasting styles of carols, from the rock-solid Protestant hymn-style harmonies of Michael Praetorius to the lazy and languid jazz settings of Bob Chilcott.

“But it’s also a bridge between three musical directors, and offers even more interesting, challenging and enjoyable opportunities ahead. The choir members look forward to an exciting new year.”

Skipton Choral Society will perform the Christmas concert, Pairs of Carols – Traditional with Unusual, at Christ Church, Skipton, on Saturday at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £8 from choir members or are available by ringing Sheila Bloomfield on 01756 751879 or 07933 925875 or emailing treasurer@skiptonchoralsociety.com