Fifty-five members of the Peninsula Singers will make merry this Christmas season by gathering at Mary Winspear Centre this weekend to offer three seasonal performances -- and raise money for the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund.
The show chorus has a 26-year tradition of supporting local charities through its popular concerts each Christmas and spring, but this is the first time it will donate to the TC fund. The shows are sold out.
"We were inspired by the generosity of sa国际传媒 readers who give so selflessly to help ensure that everyone in our region has the means to celebrate this holiday season," says director Glenda Korell, who notes the concert will feature everything from seasonal classics to Chopin's Minute Waltz and a doo-wop version of In the Mood.
"One of our show-stopping songs is Christmas in a Minute, which dwells on the hectic rat race of Christmas preparations and plaintively asks the audience: Where is all the simple meaning, charm and reason that we celebrate together?"
Korella says the answer lies in sharing the joy of music while contributing to charities like the Christmas Fund. "It's very rewarding doing these concerts because people always tell us afterwards how much better they feel, that they are in such good spirits."
Korella, who has a music degree and started a big glee club while still in junior high in Calgary, joined the choir nine years ago and became conductor more than six years ago. One of the big changes she made was encouraging members to memorize the repertoire instead of using songbooks, except as props in yuletide photos. (Four costumed members will greet visitors as they arrive at Mary Winspear.)
"When Glenda took over the baton in 2001, she introduced costumes, props, lots of humour and ensembles drawn from the chorus," said choir publicist Virginia Watson-Rouslin. She said Korella also challenged choir members to connect their voices to our hands and feet through movement, turning the group into a "real show chorus" whose six annual concerts frequently sell out.
Audience members look forward to sing-along sessions during each performance, she said, adding the director gives mini-lessons on how to sing with gusto and emotion.
A guest artist is also invited to join the chorus each year -- this season, it's 18-year-old flutist Chelsea Fern from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The young artist, who has won top marks there and numerous awards, will accompany the chorus and perform solo in Georges Hue's Fantasia for Lute, and Bach's Partita in A Minor.
Matthew Poon, a senior piano performance student at the University of Victoria who has also studied at the conservatory, will accompany the concert, which also supports music therapy at Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Habitat for Humanity's Sidney project. The audience is invited to donate non-perishable food items for the Sidney Food Bank.
Every year, the sa国际传媒 Christmas fund provides grocery vouchers and gift certificates to families in need. Last year, it helped 2,100 households by raising almost a quarter of a million dollars. Call 995-4438 to make a donation.
PREVIEW
What: Peninsula Singers present Spirit of the Season concert
When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and
Saturday, Dec. 7-8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9
Where: Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney
Tickets: Sold outt
