Musical tidings to all

No longer a newly-minted group, St. Albert’s Mission Hill Brass Band heads into its 11th season with The Wonder of Christmas this Sunday at St. Albert United Church.

Providing a dash of harmony is vocalist Nadia Crush and the award-winning Gateway Chorus, an all female a cappella choir that was established as a chapter of the Sweet Adelines in 1961.

“I have always felt our band works better when we showcase other local community organizations. As a brass band, we want to branch out and showcase other local amateur groups,” said Daniel A. Skepple Jr., Mission Hill’s music director.

In the past, Skepple introduced an eclectic body of talent ranging from trumpeter Jens Lindeman and jazz singer Ellen Doty to the Church of God Youth Choir.

The 28-piece British style brass band kicks off with James Curnow’s Blenheim Flourishes, a short two-minute test piece.

“It’s very different, very dynamic and tests the band’s ability. It’s very technical and every aspect of the band requires a high technique to make it a go,” Skepple said.

The repertoire includes a few showpiece selections such as James Bond’s sensuous Skyfall and Pharrell Williams’ light and frothy Happy.

Referring to Happy, Skepple noted, “It’s not Christmassy, but it’s one of those songs you can’t be unhappy listening to.”

Dr. Karen McGale, a musician with Salt Lake City Brass Band for five years, is honoured with a horn solo in Gustav Holst’s In the Bleak Mid-Winter and Nadia Crush, 13, gives a hauntingly beautiful solo interpretation of the timeless Silent Night.

“Nadia won a Salvation Army music competition. Upon winning the competition, she was asked to sing in the choir. For 13, her voice is very mature and very lyrical. She has a very special instrument.”

The brass band finishes the concert with the non-traditional, yet very popular Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree popularized in 1958 by torch singer Brenda Lee and later rebranded by Mariah Carey.

The Gateway Chorus, numbering fewer than 50 members, showcases two 15-minute segments balancing the popular with the traditional. Expect to hear Winter Wonderland and Angels We Have Heard on High to Jingle Bell Rock and Christmas Chopsticks.

Two of the choir’s favourite gems that give a true meaning of Christmas are David Bowie-Bing Crosbie arrangements of The Little Drummer Boy and Peace on Earth.

“They had contradictory styles of music. One was a rocker, the other a crooner. Yet they came together in these two songs,” said music director Lisa Greenough.

Skepple also stated that two patrons of the band, Dr. Gordon Russell and Dr. Dan Jolly, will be acknowledged for their special contributions in support of the band.

Russell, now in retirement down south, co-founded the brass band and played tenor horn for 10 years. He also provided financial support and used his contacts to book illustrious musicians as guests.