St. Mary’s singers offer a chance to enjoy the seasonal segment of Messiah and sing along to some Christmas favourites leading up to Christmas.
St. Mary’s Anglican Church Choir and Friends present Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah and Hallelujah Chorus on Dec. 21.
“This part of the Messiah will only last about an hour … it’s basically the Christmas section. Then we’ll have some lighter seasonal music, mainly a number of singalong carols,” said Curt Bergen, music director at the church. “It’s a joyful celebration of Christmas.”
The performance and singalong is the first concert of its kind for the Elgin Street church. They’re bringing in friends from regional groups to round out the chorus and a few special guests: Dr. Amyrose McCue Gill, who grew up in the area and has sung with the church in the past, as well as tenor soloist Dr. Marvin Regier.
“They’re prominent and have sung internationally,” Bergen said.
A pair of singers from the Victoria Mendelssohn Choir, alto Elizabeth Barrett and alto and bass Mark Marquette, will perform solos as well as a 10-string chamber orchestra along with organist John Limbert.
“We just wanted to inject some energy into the church, and it’s an opportunity for us to offer this to the community. And a chance for people to get together that love to sing … for Oak Bay,” Bergen said.
St. Mary’s Anglican Church Choir and Friends present Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah and Hallelujah Chorus on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and available from Ivy’s Bookshop, Long & McQuade, St. Mary’s Church Office and at the door. (Children under 12 are free). Light refreshments follow the concert and proceeds from ticket sales support music at St. Mary’s, 1701 Elgin Rd. For more information visit stmaryoakbay@bc.anglican.ca or call 250-598-2212.
cvanreeuwyk@oak baynews.com