Vernon tenor, vocal teacher and choral director Paul Moore is checking his list twice, make that three times, as he gets ready to stage a number of Christmas concerts throughout the Okanagan.
First up is a concert featuring Moore’s vocal studio ensembles and soloists, Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon.
An annual tradition, Moore along with his choirs and students, will get together and perform festive music for their families, friends, and all who love Christmas carols.
This year was a busy one for Moore, who expanded his diverse vocal studio to include a youth choir, Kokanee Singers Junior.
“The kids’ group was started in September to extend the learning and fun of choral singing to young singers and their families,” said Moore. “The KS Juniors have sung in two performances already this year and will join both adult ensembles with their energetic, fearless style.”
The KS Juniors will join The Kokanee Singers, Moore’s first choral project, as well as his Inspirati Chorale, an offshoot of the Kokanee Singers, which specializes in baroque and renaissance repertoire, at the performance.
“The resounding success of the Inspirati Chorale has spilled into the community and back into the Kokanee Singers,” said Moore, adding the ensemble gives several concerts annually in different cities in the Okanagan.
“What they have learned, they bring back to the Kokanee Singers, which has changed the overall sound of the larger group. The community can enjoy high level vocal and instrumental concerts where they are treated to timeless music.”
Vernon’s Christine West will accompany both the choirs and soloists at All Saints.
Moore takes centre stage at two Christmas recitals in Kelowna’s St. Michaels Cathedral Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Armstrong’s Zion United Church Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
Moore plans to sing both old and new Christmas favourites – a potpourri of classical melodies, yuletide carols and contemporary hits.
The evening promises to be a memorable one with Moore performing O Holy Night, Ave Maria, Mary Did You Know?, Believe, among others.
“The tradition of singing the Christmas classics is followed by every operatic tenor. They all do the favourites,” said Moore, who will be accompanied by pianist Graham Vink. “The tradition of crossing over styles with trained voices was started by Lanza, Pavarotti, followed by Bocelli and even more so by Groban, and classical vocal ensembles as well.”
Tickets for the Vernon and Armstrong concerts are available at the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca. Tickets for the Kelowna concert are available at kelownatickets.com.
