“I just love it when people come up to me and say My Christmas season doesn’t begin until I’ve been to the Peterborough Singers’ Yuletide Cheer concert,” says the choir’s Artistic Director Syd Birrell. “It happens all the time, so each year we work hard to honour that tradition while offering something fresh, a new twist or nugget.”
Photo credit Ozzie Garcia
What remains the same? It’s a family celebration of the holidays. Even the fabulous brass quintet, the Venabrass, began as a family group when Robert Venables and four of his six children (all at one time members of the North York Salvation Temple Band) got together to play music. And once again at Yuletide Cheer, the Venabrass, the Singers, the audience, and Syd on the “mighty Casavant pipe organ” (as he always calls it!) will join together to sing classical Christmas carols such as “Hark the Herald” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” ably conducted by Ben Keith. “Eight hundred people singing their hearts out is one of my best moments of the season,” Syd grins.
This year, a small chorus of youngsters will add something novel to the concert’s “we are family” theme. “I love that we have the children and grandchildren of members of the Peterborough Singers performing ‘Away in a Manger’ with us,” says Syd (whose brainchild this was).
Another Singers’ family tradition is Syd generously sharing the spotlight with talented directors and musicians who call the choir home. Check out our recent newsletter to read more about these notable contributors, including Pamela Birrell, Michelle Hugill, and Arlene and Ken Gray. You will also discover intriguing facts about some of the festive music and Ruth Watson Henderson’s long-time involvement with the Peterborough Singers.
When: Saturday, November 30th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Emmanuel United Church: 534 George St N, Peterborough, ON
Tickets: $40 general admission; $10 students, available on this website, Pammett’s Flower Shop, Ashburnham Foot & Ankle Centre, Happenstance Books & Yarns (Lakefield), or at the door.
For more information contact:
Peg McCracken, Business Manager
705.745.1820 | singers@peterboroughsingers.
