Newtones playing sweet sounds
By Susan Stein

They did it again. The members of the choral group The Newtones. They did it with their great singing, with their exuberance, with their joy to perform and with the one of kind M.C. Lloyd West, to put the audience in the mood for Christmas.

Aptly called A Candlelight Christmas, the group marched up the aisle to the stage with candles in their hands to start their annual Christams concert.

It was held at the Tec We Gwill Hall, Newton Robinson on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Directed by music director Janice Magloughlen, the Newtones set the mood for holiday fun with numbers One Candle, Away from the Mistletoe and Skylark.

Not to be outdone by the choral numbers, skits performed by some members with a great talent for comedy, held the audience in stitches. And Lloyd West contributed to the merriment with his jokes. Every year I wonder, from where they take those skits. My hunch tells me, that they make them up themselves.

The ladies chorus were a hit wth their songs, Season of Love, with antlers on their heads The Reindeer Hula. Members of the men's chorus delighted with Christmas carols.

No Newtones concert would by complete without musical interludes. Pianist Valerie Wauchope and guest drummer Tim Shelswell entertained with a duet, Mike Markowitz, well-known jazz pianist, with a selection of piano pieces. Giving solo performances were Ward Parsons, singing in German and English Silent Night, playing the guitar and Mike singing 1960's hit song, composed by Peggy Lee.

The performance by The Newtones in their rendition of songs Christmas Promise, Music Speaks, Rockin and their closing number Merry Christmas to Us All was a testimony to the dedication, patience and professionalism by Janice Magloughlen in rehearsing with the group.

Singing of God Save the Queen concluded the concert.