It’s beginning to look a lot like a Celtic Christmas… at least for the folks at the Sooke Community Choir, who’ll be going full Celtic spirit this holiday season.
The group is preparing to awe you with four upcoming Celtic-themed concerts: Dec. 16, 17 and 18 at the Sooke Community Hall at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 9 at the Church of the Advent in Langford.
Conducted and arranged by the familiar Bruce Ruddell, the choir’s artistic director, the choir will add that sweetly-unique “Irish lilt” in the form of 12 separate musical numbers, said choir spokesperson and singing member Sally Titchkosky.
“It’s very lovely music, we’re really excited to do something really different this year,” she said, adding the pieces are all relatively new for the choir’s 55 or so members.
Among the rich collection of songs will also be some familiar favourites, such as Enya’s epic Only Time, along with a couple of Celtic Thunder songs and Celtic Woman.
On top of all that, the choir are accompanied this year by an East Sooke couple, Patrick and Patricia De Gabrielle, wholesomely known as Celtic Reflections. Patricia will provide bodhrán drum, Celtic harp and vocals, while Patrick will add in guitar, the mandolin, fiddle, penny whistle and vocals.
With 25 years experience of playing together, the duo are special addition to the choir this year, Titchkosky noted.
“We’re very honoured to be included with the choir,” De Gabrielle said.
Tickets are $20, (children under 16 receive free admission) and are available for purchase at the Sooke Shoppers Drug Mart and the Stick in the Mud.
That’s not to say there isn’t space for many more. The choir is always looking for new members to add to the growing repertoire of talented Sooke voices.
For more info, call Sally Titchkosky at 250-642-3566 or visit sookecommunitychoir.com.
