Fans of the Christmas season often enjoy the joyous experience of a sing-along at a Chilliwack concert.
Singing en masse is all part of the fun at the Christmas Song Festival when Chilliwack Metropolitan Orchestra and Chilliwack Metropolitan Youth Orchestra warmly welcome the Abbotsford Male Chorus at Evergreen Hall on Dec. 16.
Over 150 vocalists and musicians will be celebrating the season with an engaging evening of orchestral and choral music.
The CMO/CMYO, under the baton of Maestro Johan Louwershiemer, are performing a selection of well-loved music from both the popular and traditional Christmas repertoire.
“This is our third Christmas Song Festival and the audience has taken delight in the opportunity to sing with a full orchestra,” says CMO member Anne Fleming. “This year there will be the additional experience of singing with a 60-member chorus.”
The Abbotsford Male Chorus is preparing an irresistible and varied program with everything from baroque pieces to gospel.
On the playlist for the Chilliwack concert is a special song called Listen, an original composition with lyrics and music by Henry Wiebe, the chorus’ artistic director.
The Abbotsford Male Chorus is known throughout the Fraser Valley for its steadfast support of local charities, assisting local food banks, to Menno Hospital and Teen Challenge.
They also favour international causes and have shipped farm equipment to the Congo as well as building materials, food and clothing to countries devastated by flooding and earthquakes.
The AMC will be offering CDs for sale on the night of the concert with all proceeds to charity.
A Salvation Army Kettle will also be on-site to accept donations for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive.
The orchestra and chorus will join forces at the end of the program for the traditional sing-along portion of the evening, with the orchestra and of course the Hallelujah Chorus for a grand finale to the evening.
“Please come and join us for what will be a wonderful evening of inspirational Christmas music.”
Christmas Song Festival, Dec. 16, Evergreen Hall, doors 6:30 p.m. concert 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15/$10 at the door, and children under 6 are free.