Jemma Chrimes cheers brassed off parishoners

Date published: 19/12/2005

When several members of the well-known band, Versatile Brass, decided to follow their own professional careers, it left parishioners of St Clement's, Spotland, feeling well brassed off. It appeared their Christmas concert on 10 December would have to be cancelled as Versatile Brass were to be the star attraction.

However, with only three weeks to arrange an alternative, a hasty phone call secured the appearance of Jemma Chrimes, who has held one of the leading roles in St Cuthbert’s - her school - last three shows and is heading for a stage career.

The rearranged concert included upbeat arrangements of Christmas songs and carols. Jemma also recruited two of the other lead singers from her school and they sang three numbers from Jesus Christ Superstar, and  a couple of other songs from Joseph.

Musical director Edwin Keen was most enthusiastic about the event, he said: "the concert was a great success and we are very grateful to Jemma for stepping in at such short notice."

Jemma appears in St Cuthbert’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar on 15, 16 & 17 December.