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Two choirs offering seasonal music in Cowichan

Medford Singers and Encore! Women’s Choir to perform
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Simon Leung, left, conducts the Medford Singers in two concerts coming Dec. 3 and 10, 2023. (Submitted)

The Medford Singers are bringing their seasonal favourites to Duncan and Lake Cowichan in two concerts in December.

The first presentation of A Candlelight Christmas is on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at Duncan United Church, and the second takes place on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church (70W. Cowichan Ave.) in Lake Cowichan.

Simon Leung will direct and Angie Lopez will accompany the program that includes the familiar ‘Wassail Song’ and ‘In the Bleak Mid Winter’ by Christina Rosetti, and ‘Ding! dong! Merrily on High’ by G.E. Woodward. Also on offer will be more contemporary works such as ‘The First Noel/Pachelbel’s Canon’, arranged by Michael Clawson, John Rutter’s ‘Candlelight Carol’, ‘Swingin’ Saint Nick’ arranged by Greg Gilpin and ‘Journey of Angels’ by Enya.

The Victoria High Notes Flute Choir will also play in some numbers.

“This should be a fun afternoon and we hope to see you there!” the group said in a press release for the show.

Tickets for the show are $20 for adults, with children 12 and under getting in for free. Get them at Volume One Bookstore, Duncan United Church, from choir members or at the door.

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Encore! Women’s Choir is getting into the holiday mood with their concert, Snowlight, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at Duncan United Church.

The title song ‘Snowlight’ is by Encore!’s resident composer Deborah Sumner, and it will set the mood for the collection of winter songs.

The program, led by Director Michelle Weckesser and accompanied by Eve Daniell on piano, includes such other songs as Ola Gjeilo’s ‘Gloria’ and Ysaye Barnwell’s a cappella setting of Kahlil Gibran’s ‘On Children’.

“The listener will enjoy Robin Salkend’s arrangement of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Song for a Winter’s Night’, the haunting ‘Frobisher Bay’ by James Gordon, the moving landscape poetry of Emily Carr in Brian Tate’s arrangement of ‘So Still’, and the whimsical ‘White Winter Hymnal’ by Robin Pecknold,” promised a press release for the show.

There will also be a selection of traditional Christmas music including ‘The Coventry Carol’, and John Rutter’s ‘Shepherd’s Pipe Carol’.

The show finishes with a popular audience singalong.

“Join us on what’s sure to be a cold winter’s afternoon, and let our songs of love and joy fill your heart with warmth and the spirit of the season,” the choir said.

Tickets are available at Volume One Bookstore in Duncan, from choir members, and at the door. They are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

For more information see www.encorewomenschoir.com