WHAT’S ON: The Northern Sinfonia conducted by Alan Fearon perform Howard Blake’s to the classic animated film of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman at The Sage Gateshead at 2pm today and at 11am and 2pm tomorrow.

Box office: 0191-433 4661.

REVIEWS: Durham Singers: Sing Joyfully (FDS001) The Durham Singers latest CD features English music for a cappella choir. Recorded in the Chapel of St Peter, Auckland Castle, under the direction of Dr Julian Wright, it covers works from a range of composers from the Baroque to contemporary. It includes works by Gibbons, Tallis, Byrd, Parry, Howells, and Stanford. Priced at £10 the album comes highly recommended. For details contact 0779-0148062 or visit durham-singers.org.

JS Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Signum (SIGCD215) This album, recorded in live concert with the WDR Big Band and The King’s Singers, features new jazz arrangements of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Arranged and directed by Bill Dobbins this is Bach as never heard before. Spontaneous and refreshing.

Plum Pudding: Felicity Lott (Champs Hill Records (CHRCD013) Dame Felicity Lott and the Joyful Company of Singers dish up a sumptuous banquet of festive music.

Sung unaccompanied this CD is guaranteed to add atmosphere to Christmas Day.