The Salvation Army celebrate Christmas in style at the Royal Albert Hall

Celebrity guests and The Salvation Army International Staff Band and Songsters entertained audience members last night (Thursday, November 23) at the annual carol concert, Celebrating Christmas with The Salvation Army at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

There were live performances from West End star Natasha Barnes, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Leah Barniville, operatic trio Tenors Un Limited, and Kora player Josh Doughty. A moving dance performance to a medley of The Angel Gabriel and Coventry Carol by the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts students with the International Staff Songsters rounds off the list of performers. Much loved actors Dame Eileen Atkins and Julian Glover alongside Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes gave three seasonal readings. 

The Salvation Army International Staff Band and the International Staff Songsters led the audience in some classic Christmas carols. The festive concert was hosted by Colonel David Hinton, Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army in the UK with the Republic of Ireland Territory, while the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Clive Adams gave a Christmas message.

Funny Girl star, Natasha Barnes, who performed Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas at the concert, said on Twitter after her performance:

Tenors UnLimited performed their Christmas Single – Who is He? The group are donating the profits from the sale of the single to The Salvation Army (charity number 214779). This is expected to be at least 50 pence per download. You can purchase the single via the group’s website or on iTunes. 

The annual concert brings together many supporters of The Salvation Army and acts as a way to thank those who enable us to carry out our vital work in communities around the UK and Ireland. Donations taken on the night will go towards the work of The Salvation Army and support our Christmas Appeal 2017.

A special thanks to all our guests who joined us for the concert.

The show was recorded for the BBC and will be aired across many local stations in the coming days. Please check your local radio listings for times.