From holiday favourites such as Winter Wonderland, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock to Celtic arrangements of Silent Night and I saw Three Ships; the Okanagan Celtic Choir invites you to join them in the spirit of the season, for a special evening of song and Christmas tradition.
The choir will be hosting an evening of classic Christmas carols and down-home holiday fun at the Trinity United Church Dec. 15. This will be the second annual Christmas show, and the performance of the 40-person SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) choir has something for the entire family.
“Whether you want to come out and sing along with the choir to those well known songs or just sit back and listen to the beautiful harmonies as we shift our Christmas spirit into high gear, this family Christmas event has something for everyone,” says choir director and Cod Gone Wild frontman Andrew Mercer.
Mercer will also be performing a set of Christmas songs that may be a little more unfamiliar that he grew up listening to in his home province of Newfoundland.
“Every region of the country has different Christmas traditions and Newfoundland is no exception,” he says. “One tradition in particular that is unique to Newfoundland is Mummering. People dress up in outlandish costumes and masks, go door-to-door singing songs, while usually having a drink at each stop. The owner’s of the home are in turn supposed to guess who the strange visitors are. If guessed correctly the Mummer’s must remove their mask for the remainder of the visit.
“Not to give too much away, but there may be a Mummer or two coming in from Newfoundland for a special visit,” he laughed.
Also performing at the show will be traditional Celtic band Kilt .45. This four-piece group made up of members of the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band includes Kerry Parks, Ann Dorval, Ron Light and Okanagan Celtic Choir member Neil Morrison. The band is well known for their presentation of traditional Celtic songs and their stirring vocal harmonies.
Originally formed to perform traditional Scottish tunes at KHPB’s concerts and Burns Dinners, the group now presents Scottish, Irish and Canadian Celtic-Maritime folk tunes with humour and energy at concerts, ceilidhs and other events.
Tickets for the Dec. 15 show are available for $15 through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca. The Choir will also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Trinity United Church Food Bank at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m., show time is 7:30 p.m.