LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
A Sentimental Christmas led by the Victoria Symphony aims to get all local residents into the spirit of Christmas on Dec. 10.
“There’s a lot of that sentimentality that we’re all striving for during the Christmas season, to get into that spirit, that feeling of joy and peace and to just let the excitement of the season settle upon us,” said conductor of the upcoming Christmas Pops concert in Qualicum Beach, Tania Miller.
This is Miller’s 10th season with the Victoria Symphony, and she takes the crown for the first Canadian woman to be appointed such a significant position in a symphony.
The program features a collection of music styles including the internationally renowned Victoria Children’s Choir. This group of youth have performed for Britain’s Royal Family and earned first place in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Austria last year. They will perform movie repertoire like Walking in the Air from The Snowman movie and John Williams’ Exsultate Justi from Empire of the Sun.
Making her debut with the Victoria Symphony, soprano Eleanor McCain will bring some jazzy, pop elements to the concert, while the Victoria Symphony delights with some seasonal favourites as well as originals.
“What I’m very happy about is this year’s Christmas concert has a lot of fresh repertoire,” said Miller.
This includes an element called Christmas at the Movies, featuring songs from movies like Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and Polar Express.
Miller will tell some stories and jokes and help people get into the spirit of the season. The audience will hear a cello solo and can join in on some sing-alongs at the show.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Get tickets at the Mulberry Bush Book Stores. The cost is $32 by cash or cheque only. For more on the symphony visit www.victoriasymphony.ca.
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