The Ukrainian Male Chorus once again joins the seasonal merrymaking with A Festive Mosaic tonight at McDougall United Church.
At this bilingual concert, the choir’s guests are the vocal and pianist duo Memorable Music, the Gateway Big Band and Excentrica Women’s Chorus.
The male chorus will sing a set of traditional Ukrainian sacred carols rarely heard in these parts. They include Dobre Verchir, a welcoming song; Boh Predveechny, a joyous song of the Messiah’s birth, and Vo Vyfleyemi, a tale of Bethlehem’s manger.
“They are traditional and religious, but very upbeat,” says St. Albert tenor John-Michael Palahniuk.
The choir will sing also one piece with the Memorable Music duo.
“It sounds fantastic. The voices are warm and very clear and heartfelt. It’s full of colour and sound with bass and tenors.”
The UMC choir quickly shifts gears with the Gateway Big Band to a smoother, jazzier vibe. The band’s music director Allen Jacobson wrote a special piece just for the occasion – Celebration Blues.
“It’s very different from a typical Ukrainian chorus. It’s jazzy and we sing it in a more bluesy way. We get to get into the feel of it and it’s more fun and upbeat.
For the singers and musicians, the concert is simply a way to join the tide of Christmas festivities.
“It’s a simple concert, but there’s a lot of meaning involved. It’s truly to get yourself into the Christmas spirit. You hear four local groups. Their sound is different one from the other and it’s fantastic.”
The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets for A Festive Mosaic are available at the door: $15 for adults, $10 for students and children under 10 attend free of charge. McDougall United Church is at 10025 – 101 St.
The Greenwood singers present their annual holiday tradition, The Many Moods of Christmas at First Presbyterian Church on Monday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
Under the direction of Robert de Frece, the vocalists sing music from Renaissance motets to sparkling arrangements of much-loved Christmas carols to popular holiday favourites.
Joining them is the University of Alberta Handbell Ringers, organist Marnie Giesbrecht, pianist Helen Stuart, bassist Jeff Johnson and percussionist Brian Thurgood.
Tickets are $20/adults; $18/students, seniors. Call 780-420-1757 or purchase online at www.tixonthesquare.ca
