Date/Time
Date(s) - December 22, 2015
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Bethany Baptist Church
Categories No Categories
is a collaborative project between Calvin Dyck and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra together with a vocal ensemble (Alumni Project) directed by Sonja Fast Hindmarsh and Carmen Fast Hollett. This concert features a variety of traditional carols, jazz, gospel, and classical music from Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” to “Little Drummer Boy” with Ajay Klassen on beat-box.
“When I heard the valley’s newest vocal ensemble last Spring, it struck me that it was possibly the finest young choral group in BC”, said Calvin. Sonja and Carmen, co-directors of the Alumni Project realized that a number of their talented friends in the valley had no outlet for their talents, and they wanted an opportunity to perform together.
The three had coffee and dreamed up a concert that will include a high energy, toe-tapping “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with tap-dancer Carissa Selbie, (for the Abbotsford performances), the Pentatonix version of “Little Drummer Boy”, a hilarious glee club spoof called “12 Days of Christmas Confusion”, John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music” and Mel Bowker’s inspiring arrangement of “O Holy Night”.
The title for this concert was inspired by “O Nata Lux” (translated O Light born of Light) by Los Angeles master composer Morten Lauridsen. Written for a capella choir, Lauridsen creates a soundscape of eerily beautiful harmonies.
The string orchestra will be featured in the Baroque “Christmas Concerto” by Arcangelo Corelli, the movements interspersed with the real Christmas story from Luke 2. Five violinists are featured in the Barrage version of “Carol of the Bell”, and the audience will be invited to join in singing traditional carols such as “O Come all Ye Faithful” and “Angels we have heard on High”.
The concert is rounded out with candlelight, choreography, costumes, video interviews, and other surprises. “Our vision is to create different scenes on stage, and combine local talent with professionals for an experience that will uplift and inspire”, said Calvin.