The Music of the Christmas Season - theHumm November 2016

From Darkness into Light

At this time of the year we often get up in complete darkness. If we look carefully, we will see the first light — perhaps a pale patch of pink shining through the bare maple trees — and daylight soon appears. The Advent Carol Service at St. James’ Anglican Church starts quietly and mysteriously in darkness, with the choir bringing the first light as they process around the church singing and bearing candles. As they pause for scripture to be read, the darkness gradually recedes until the church is filled with light, and the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, is proclaimed in the last reading.

The season of Advent is a special time in the Church calendar that allows Christians to step aside and quietly wait for the coming of Jesus Christ — both to celebrate his arrival on Earth as a baby two thousand years ago, and to prepare for his coming again at the end of time. One of the anthems, by the 16th century composer Palestrina, sets the tone. “I look from afar; and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out and meet him…” It is echoed in the hymns the choir and congregation sing together, including “Hark a herald voice is sounding: Christ is nigh it seems to say. Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!”

Other anthems this year include Come Thou, Redeemer of the Earth by a contemporary of Palestrina’s — Michael Praetorius — and Christe Redemptor Omnium, a 6th century hymn set to music a millennium later by Monteverdi. The Advent service takes place on Sunday, November 27 at 4pm.

Three weeks later, on Sunday, December 18 at 7:30pm, the choirs of St. James’ Anglican Church and St. Paul’s United Church unite at St. James’ to present the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. These two glorious services offer music, prayer and time for reflection, providing a meaningful focus at the beginning of a new Christian year.

Everyone is welcome at both services, and to attend on Sundays at 8am and 10am. St. James’ Church is located on the corner of Drummond and Harvey Streets in Perth. For more information, contact the church office at 267–1163 or check the website stjamesperth.ca .

The Town Singers Present “Christmas Memories”

The first few notes of a Christmas song can often bring forth a rush of happy memories of holidays past, including family sing-a-longs, carollers at the front door, or the smell of holiday treats fresh from the oven.

This year, the Town Singers will present a variety of songs (old and new) that they hope will help you relive your fondest Christmas memories. Classics such as Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me and Blue Christmas will be paired with more traditional melodies like Sing We Now of Christmas and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. The choir even has plans to share a few special holiday memories of some of their singers and audience members too!

Please join emcee Rob Probert and the Town Singers this year at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Bridge Street in Carleton Place, on December 4 and 6 at 7pm. Tickets ($12) will be on sale in early November in both Carleton Place and Almonte. For more details, please visit cptownsingers.com . Don’t be disappointed — get your tickets soon.

A Christmas Kaleidoscope

The West Ottawa Ladies Chorus (WOLC) is presenting a kaleidoscope of colourful tones to celebrate the season of winter and Christmas. A Christmas Kaleidoscope will delight the audience and please a variety of musical tastes. The chorus works diligently to blend soprano, second soprano and first and second alto into a seamless sound. Under the direction of Robert Dueck, the WOLC strives for the highest standards from the top ranges to the lowest notes. Blending notes, like colours, creates patterns of sound — a kaleidoscope.

This season, the audience will experience colourful tunes from spiritual to jazz to rag to show tunes. There will surely be toe tapping along with silent reflection. Although the concert is a celebration of Christmas, it is also a celebration of winter and will appeal to different cultures — music for everyone.

The WOLC is committed to giving back to the community; they visit several seniors’ residences, bringing the gift of music to those who may not be able to attend a public performance. The smiles on the faces of the residents reward the singers, as does the joy of hearing the audience join in to sing popular numbers.

At each performance, the chorus invites special guests, to add variety to the program. This year, Gracenote — a spiritual trio comprised of Lynn Lane, Allison Fagan and Diane Coulterman, accompanied by Andy Duffy on keyboard — will join the chorus.

A Christmas Kaleidoscope is mixing it up to present a colourful evening of sounds of the season. Performances are on Saturday, December 3 at 7pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 20 Young Road in Kanata; and Sunday the 4th at 2:30pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1817 Richardson Side Road in Carp. Tickets are available now. Find more details at westottawaladieschorus@gmail.com .

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