In their six years of singing, members of the esteemed Northern Lights Chamber Choir have gathered quite a repertoire.
Choir director Steve Guidone says there are now 80 numbers from which to choose, and fans who have asked to hear some of the ones the Northern Lights has previously performed.
In response, the choir presents Something Old Something New in Sorrento and Salmon Arm concerts.
“Some of the pieces go back as far as Handel,” says Guidone, his enthusiasm for the choir and the music bubbling up. “We’re tending towards the current pieces but also pulling up favourite audience and member requests from the past.”
One of Guidone’s favourites, Sure on this Shining Night, is a version of a poem by James Agee. It tells of a beautiful starry night and being alive to enjoy it.
“One I am quite excited by, is Dirait-on (so they say) a mid-winter madrigal about the rose.
“A rose is narcism personified; it knows it’s beautiful and stands out,” Guidone says. “There are layers voice over voice, just like the petals of a rose … it’s just gorgeous.”
Also on the program is the last two movements of the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré.
“I think it’s my absolute favourite requiem and Hugh Carter, a baritone who comes up from Vernon is not in the choir, but has agreed to come and sing the baritone solo in this piece.”
Guidone is proud of his choir, which, for the most part has many of the same members since Northern Lights was formed.
As he has since the beginning, Jim Johnston accompanies the choir, which is comprised of 15 singers.
“There are a lot of the same people, but their skills have grown; it’s amazing how they have learned new things and how quickly they have learned them,” says Guidone. “It’s quite something to have a choir like this in a town this size.”
Guidone says he is very proud to be directing such a talented group.
Along with a guest baritone, two accomplished area pianists will also perform in Something Old Something New.
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko will play J. S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in Eb and the Poulenc Variations at the Feb. 22 concert in Sorrento and in Salmon Arm on March 5.
The newest member of Northern Lights Choir, Andrew Stoney will perform Chopin’s Etude Op. 10, No. 7 and Malagueña by Isaac Albeniz at the March 8 concert in Salmon Arm.
Northern Lights performs at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at St. Mary’s Anglican United Church in Sorrento.
Salmon Arm performances take place on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
Tickets are available on the website at www.northernlightschamberchoir.ca, Acorn Music, from choir members or at the door.
Next year’s season starts in October and auditions will occur after this concert season. If you are interested in joining, call or leave Steve a message at 250-832-4103.
