St. Albert Singers pay homage to Tinseltown

This is the season of dreams and St. Albert Singers’ Guild is capitalizing on that vibe with a peek at Hollywood movies.

The guild’s two adult choirs reprise their dynamic energy and rock out with a 75-minute musical ride through a Tinseltown Christmas this Friday and Saturday at the Arden Theatre.

Musical director Criselda Mierau has extracted 20 great tunes from the American Christmas catalogue and paired them with film clips and silver screen photographs.

In addition to hearing some of the best cinematic songs ever composed, it is an opportunity to boogie down memory lane with snapshots from White Christmas and Love Actually to The Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

“This concert is like going to the movies. The format is easy. You’ll see a movie clip and then the choir will sing a song,” said Mierau.

The 89 singers kick off the program with Snow, an old classic borrowed from White Christmas featuring a scene where Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen are riding a train to Vermont and joyfully singing about the state’s ski slopes.

Another popular tune, Judy Garland’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Meet Me in St. Louis is also featured back-to-back with the most popular seasonal song of all time, the jazzy A Charlie Brown Christmas.

“In a lot of ways it changed the way the world listens to music. It resonated with people across the world and all of sudden there were other countries translating and promoting the message – to take the commercialization out of Christmas.”

Four soloists, selected for their unique vocal nuances, will take centre stage with an animated delivery of various tunes.

Linda Hoddinott, known for her pop sound, sings Where Are You Christmas, a poignant ballad Jim Carrey sings in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

“She brings a connection to the piece and that’s important in bringing it alive.”

Mierau’s daughter Katya solos in the bouncier All I Want For Christmas.

“She’s working on a belt sound and she brings a flair to the piece. She’s always willing to play with any piece.”

Arlene Nadeau instead brings a soulful edge to Happy Holidays.

“She’s a dynamic singer and she evokes a soulful quality to her songs.”

And Barb Kniel puts the funny back in Christmas. She takes on the character role of a little old lady chasing Santa in the sultry Eartha Kitt hit Santa Baby.

“Mayor Nolan Crouse is going to be Santa. He’s going to trot out and she’s going to pursue him in her walker.”

There are too many songs to list, however Mierau is certain this concert gives the audience a chance to unfold their imagination.

“This concert gives you a double whammy. By embracing movies and music, you can open yourself in two ways. And it’s a really good concert for the soul.”