Kick off your Christmas season with a decidedly untraditional traditional Christmas as the Sea to Sky Singers present "Everything Old is New Again" at St. John the Divine Anglican Church on Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 1 and 2).
The concert features the sacred Christmas work Gaudete, performed by Anders Ohrwall, accompanied by Kris Miles on flute, Sandra Ashmore on oboe, and Kevin Olafsson on cello.
"The piece was written by a Swedish composer, but it is in English," said Veronica McPhee, Sea to Sky Singers music director. "It's a classical piece from the 1500s that has been modernized, and it serves as an anchor to the concert."
McPhee said the choir plans to follow suit, performing the traditional carols everyone knows and loves - but with a modern "twist."
"For instance, we'll be doing a more jazzy version of Deck the Halls," she said. "And we'll also be doing a three-minute Messiah. Many people go to see performances of Handel's Messiah during the holidays, and at the concert we are going to give them the three-minute version."
In addition to the modern classical and non-traditional traditional songs, McPhee said the choir will also lead audiences in rousing sing-alongs of favourite Christmas carols.
"We'll sing a few songs, and then invite the audience to join in, and then sing a few more songs and invite them to join in again," she said.
McPhee said this year's Christmas concert was expanded to include the classical component to commemorate her 10 years with the Sea to Sky Singers.
"I wanted to make it grand and special," she said. "Those 10 years seem like a long time, but still everything seems so new to me. It seems brand new every year."
McPhee said she hoped the concert would help people kick off their Christmas season on the right foot.
"I know it's early for a Christmas show," she said, "but I'm hoping it will set everyone up nicely and in the right mood before the craziness begins."
The Sea to Sky Singers present Everything Old is New Again at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 at St. John's Anglican Church.
Tickets are available at Portico Gallery, Concrete Blonde, and at the door for $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. The show is free for children under five.
