Flashlights and a camping lantern are now a part of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir’s “show-must-go-on” kit, after a power failure before the 2010 concert turned the Christmas sing-along into a dimly-lit evening.
Despite the silencing of St. John the Divine’s majestic pipe organ, the audience stayed and enjoyed.
To give the audience a chance to experience Vaughan Williams’ gorgeous Fantasia on Christmas Carols as it’s meant to be heard, VPC and music director Peter Butterfield welcome Bernard Turgeon (baritone), Pamela Highbaugh Aloni (cello) and David Stratkauskas (organ) as special guest performers at their popular Family Christmas Carol Sing-along Concert Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at the Church of St. John the Divine.
For the sing-along part of the evening, children are invited to come up front and sing the melodies of traditional carols, enfolded in the choir’s background harmonies. A couple of front rows will be saved for those with little ones, but all seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, free for children 12 and under. Advance purchase from Ivy’s Bookshop, Cadboro Bay Books, Tanner’s Books, La Tavola Kitchenware Boutique and Long & McQuade.
For those whose Christmas spirit relies on a chance to belt out the Hallelujah Chorus, join the Civic Orchestra of Victoria’s 13th annual Sing-along Messiah, with Butterfield as this year’s guest conductor and VPC choristers playing a supporting role in the audience.
The Civic’s full orchestral forces, complete with guest trumpeter James Stubbs, will raise the roof at Alix Goolden Hall on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Soprano Mary-Ellen Rayner joins the roster of vocal soloists.
Tickets are $20/$15 students and seniors. For ticket outlet details please go to civicorchestraofvictoria.org.
