The Big Rock Singers are back with big gospel energy.
Back at the Foothills Centennial Centre on Dec. 10, the show choir is holding its holiday show, dubbed 'Let Heaven and Nature Sing – A Gospel Choir Christmas Celebration.'
“The music is high-energy, filled with joy, it’s so fun to sing, and will be so fun to perform,” said Carey Gruber, musical director for the Big Rock Singers.
“Everyone leaves rehearsal smiling and laughing – it's just been very, very fun.”
The music will range from old-school gospel to more modern arrangements.
“A lot of it is very traditional gospel, for example we’re doing Joyful, Joyful from Sister Act 2 and we also have a country gospel set that is also super fun,” Gruber said. “We’re doing an epic – and it really is epic – arrangement of Children Go Where I Send Thee.
“The song was made popular by the Golden Gate quartet in the 1930s, and the arranger’s dad was the lead singer of that group.”
The Big Rock Singers’ membership has risen to the occasion, having held their numbers strong over recent years.
“We have almost 70 singers this season, which is one of our biggest Christmas season memberships ever,” Gruber said, adding their numbers have fared well through the pandemic.
“We are very fortunate in that our membership, we call ourselves a choir family, and we have not really lost any ground, where many choirs have.”
That legion of choir performers will be dressed for the part.
“We’re bringing in 70 red choir robes from Winnipeg, so the audience can expect a spectacle,” she said.
Joining them on stage is a group of student musicians from Holy Trinity Academy, which will play drums (djembe) and bass guitar.
The Big Rock Singers were able to adapt during the pandemic, shifting from their usual song and dance to practicing online over Zoom at the start of COVID before returning to in-person rehearsal in September 2021.
“Thank goodness we’re back at it,” Gruber said. “Words can not describe how wonderful it’s been and how hard it was before that.
“Even after last year and two live performances, I still felt like we needed that straight up injection of joy this Christmas.”
The bright, epic gospel lineup was chosen by Gruber to bring just that.
The BRS is also a not-for-profit society, started in 2013, and has raised significant funds over the years for local causes, including the Western Wheel Cares charity fund.
“Since 2016, we’ve donated $50,000 to Foothills area charities from show proceeds," Gruber said. “Of that, $20,000 has gone to Western Wheel Cares – we're really proud of that.”
Always looking ahead to the next show, the BRS has a group going to Italy in April where it will perform, as well as a spring show in May, themed after an East Coast kitchen party.
The passion for choral music and for their fellow members is what bonds the BRS together.
“We have so many singers that come back year after year and have met their closest friends in the choir,” Gruber said.
“That’s what drives me, and that passion for music in general and the impact it can have on the lives of the people who become part of that.
“It’s really transformative … it’s been such a lifeline for so many people through COVID.”
Its tagline, Gruber added, is, “Where you will find more than your voice.”
“It’s good for you mentally, it’s good for you physically,” she said.
Audience members can also look forward to the holiday café and bake sale to serve up some festive treats at the concert.
The show kicks off at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Foothills Centennial Centre, and doors open an hour ahead of the show.
For tickets go to bigrocksingers.com.
