The Musaic Vocal Ensemble, which was formed in 1995 by Ken Gray and originally had 13 members, now boasts more than 40 people in the choir.
Members for this auditioned choir come from Kelowna, Summerland, Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos and are directed by Tracy Stuchberry.
Last summer, Musaic participated in the International Choral Festival Kathaumixw in Powell River.
Members of Musaic enjoyed this very exciting event and hearing choirs from Slovenia, Seattle and elsewhere around the globe.
Musaic usually performs two sets of concerts each year: A spring concert in May or June and a Christmas concert.
They also enjoy performing for a variety of charitable causes and last month were part of a five choir choral extravaganza that raised more than $2,000 for “God’s Kitchen” at the Presbyterian Church in Penticton.
They also provide student bursaries to support budding musicians.
Their concerts include secular, sacred, opera, classical and modern music and this weekend’s concert will feature a rich mix of music including Gordon Lightfoot’s Song for a Winter’s Night and a choral medley from the Disney animated film Frozen. Other songs will include their rendition of Calypso Carol, Ding Dong! Merrily On High and The Gift.
Along with these numbers, Musaic showcases their musical versatility with O Magnum Mysterium, Tabula Rasa and Let There Be Peace On Earth.
Joining Musaic, for their concert is the Fish On Five Brass Quintet.
These players, from the Okanagan Symphony’s brass section, take their name from their annual fishing trip where they fish and play along B.C.’s magnificent coast.
Musaic Vocal Ensemble is performing three times this weekend with the first concert Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church on Orchard Avenue in Penticton.
They will perform twice in Summerland on Saturday. The Summerland performances are at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at St John’s Lutheran Church on North Victoria Road at Blair Street.
Tickets are on sale at James on Kelly here in Summerland and at the Leir House in Penticton and from any Musaic member.
The Arts Palette column is written by David Finnis, publicity chair and president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, P.O. Box 1217, 9908 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.
