By Stewart McConnell

CHRISTMAS in Troon traditionally gets underway with the celebrated Marr Cappella concerts, which played to near packed houses in St Meddan's Church and Troon Old Parish Church on two nights last week.

This year's concerts were co-ordinated by Krista Donnelly, a graduate of Northern College of Education in Aberdeen, and Grange Academy Music Teacher Amanbda Gemmell, who has played in a host of youth orchestras and ensembles and played with the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Junior Symphony Orchestra.

They stood in for Musical Director, Steven Sorley, who was unable to be involved in this year's gigs.

Following an introduction from Cappella member, we begin with Another Op'nin', Another Show by Cole Porter, an upbeat jazzy number and then Christmas-Tide with music by one of the choir's favourite composers, Bob Chilcott follows.

Good King Wenceslas is next up and then then audience get involved with a rendition of community Carol, O Come All Ye Faithful.

We then hear for the first time soloist, Cameron Hill, a former Head Boy at Grange Academy, who is currently studying a Bachelor of Education degree in Music at the Royal Conservatoire in Scotland. He sings an inspiring version of Stars with words by Alan Boubil and music from Claude-Michel-Schonberg.

Marr Cappella then perform their trusted version of In The Bleak Midwinter with music by Gustav Holst, composer of the Planets Suite.

Dream, a song made famous by Frank Sinatra is then performed by the choir and this if followed by When I Hear Music.

The second half starts with the gospel-inspired Bethehem Hallelu and O Holy Night sees the choir with a great vocal range.

Next we go to the movies as the choir sing There You'll Be with words and music by Dianne Warren, which was nominated for an Oscar after being performed by Faith Hill for the 2001 blockbuster movie Pearl Harbour.,

Cameron Hill then performs another solo, giving his interpretation of Walking in the Air from the Snowman movie and he then sings the ever-popular Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas before the choir presents Somewhere In My Memory, from the Home Alone movie

There is then a medley of Christmas songs, including I Saw Three Ships.

All money raised from the concerts will go towards two charities,, Down's Syndrome Scotland and Victim Support Scotland. Down's Syndrome Scotland was established in 1982 and the only charity dedicated to supporting people with Down's Syndrome and their carers. Victim Support Scotland are the largest voluntary sector support provider to people affected by crime in Scotland.