This December, holiday traditions old and new will be celebrated with song and fun by the Squamish Sea to Sky Singers at their annual festive concert.
Music Director of the Sea to Sky Singers Veronica McPhee said the concert, as its name implies, will focus on holiday traditions both classic and contemporary. All are encouraged to attend the concert which will take place on Dec. 9 and 10.
According to McPhee, the concert's first half will feature contemporary songs originally written for the Liverpool Playhouse for the Charles Dickens' classics A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist. Interspersed among the musical performances will be readings from the Christmas classics.
"The second half moves into something a bit more personal, we have from my own experiences and my own traditions, songs that draw on those traditions I have with my upbringing in the church and my connection to holiday food and gift giving," said McPhee.
Members of the choir will also share personal traditions, stories, and anecdotes from their own personal histories.
"So it's two sides, one that's more classical, and one that's more personal. The music in the second half is more light-hearted... there's some more jazz in the second half and swing, so different genres are represented," said Mcphee.
The entire show will include sing-along moments where the audience can join in the festivities by belting out Christmas favourites and traditional carols. McPhee will be accompanied as director by Jonathan Reich. Special guests Mike Damgaard and Brian Marchant will join in for "jazzier" numbers on drums and bass, respectively.
This year, the choir is putting on two shows. The Saturday evening performance has a fixed admission. The Sunday matinee, on the other hand, will be a more casual, pay-what-you-can event. The show should run about two hours.
"We want to encourage a wide range of audience members and encourage new audiences to come," said McPhee.
According to McPhee, the concert should - to quote Charles Dickens - "win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"
The show on Saturday, Dec. 9 begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday's matinee on December 10 kicks off at 2 p.m.
Both shows will take place at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, at 1930 Diamond Rd.
Advance tickets for Saturday night available at Anna's Interiors and Concrete Blonde: (12 and under free) or at the door.
