The 100 Mile House Eclectica Choir brought Christmas to roughly 200 people at Martin Exeter Hall for their ‘White Christmas’ benefit concert.
The benefit concert was held for the 100 Mile House and District Foodbank and Loaves and Fishes. Admittance was by donation and around $3,498 was raised on behalf of the two organizations.
“I thought it went extremely well,” said Barb Hooper, the Director’s rep. “We got a standing ovation at the end and that is always a good sign. It arose spontaneously from the audience – no one looking uncertainly around to see if anyone else was going to stand. Just standing en masse.”
Hooper said the ovation had the choir members beaming. She said when a performer has poured their heart and soul into something and it is appreciated, it’s an amazing experience.
She said it was hard to speak to what pieces were favoured by the audience, but spoke of her own. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Paul Simon and arranged by Kirby Shaw was a dramatic piece to end the concert with Hooper said, which she conducted.
Other highlights were Gloria in D major by Vivaldi and conducted by Wally Hargrave, Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano conducted by Melissa Hermiston with percussion from Mike Day.
“The women were really animated and swayed and bounced to the music. The more venturous of us supplied the little shrieks and vocal warbles common in Spanish singing,” said Hooper.
Other highlights were White Christmas, Solstice Carole and Walter Kent’s I’ll be Home for Christmas.
Several solo performances were also mentioned such as Len Aune’s reading of Stephen Leacock’s Hoodoo McFiggin’s Christmas, Catheryn Aune’s performance of Kim Baryluk’s Solstice Carole and One Voice performed by Hermiston, Hooper, Karen Smith and accompanied by Donna Forward on the piano.
“Another highlight for me was our tenors and basses performing an enchanting piece, Yuletide Fire, by Diane Loomer, which I had the privilege to conduct, accompanied, sparingly, as it is largely a capella, by Donna Forward on piano,” said Hooper.
Before the choir took the stage, Forward occupied the audience with her own performance which included a version of Jingle Bells where no one seemed to remember the words of the second verse. She also played It Won’t Be the Same this Year by Vince Gill, who wrote it after the passing of his brother. She dedicated the song to the Ross family, who lost a child last year.
Hooper said she received feedback from the audience telling her such things as it was an afternoon full of heart and a wonderful concert.
“[The] Eclectica Community Choir welcomes anyone who would like to come to sing with us to register at 6:30 p.m. on either Jan. 16, 23 or 30, 2019 at the United Church at 49 Dogwood Cres,” said Hooper.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and all ages are welcome. For more information contact Hooper at jbrhooper@gmail.com or 250-397-2980.
brendan.jure@100milefreepress.net
