An Okotoks choir is bringing holiday warmth and cheer through song.
The Big Rock Singers’ holiday special Christmas by Candlelight runs at the Okotoks United Church on Dec. 7, 8, and 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 4 p.m.
"The music is lush, gorgeous arrangements of traditional carols like O’ Little Town of Bethlehem and O Come All Ye Faithful,” said BRS conductor Carey Gruber.
“People will know the music, but with the addition of this being our largest number of singers in our history. The huge choral sound with these gorgeous traditional carols accompanied by strings and piano, all lit by candles, I think it’s going to be just magical.”
The choir will be accompanied by live musicians, where before it used recorded background music.
“It is going to be lit by hundreds of candles in the beautiful Okotoks United Church,” Gruber said. “We’re going to have a glowing representation of the holiday seasons – our singers even have scarves and ties that resemble candlelight.”
The smaller venue will create an intimate environment for the audience, as well as acoustics for the live band.
“The thought behind that was with the candlelight scene to have a more intimate venue, and we also have live musicians for these performances,” Gruber said.
“The music for this is going to be accompanied by our amazing Antonina (Cox) at the beautiful grand piano at the church, as well as a professional string quartet, oboe soloist and student percussionists from HTA.”
“And I'm very excited that this will also be the debut performance for the Okotoks Youth Singers."
Among the several groups under the BRS, a few have specific performances lined up.
"We do have a thrilling set that will be performed by our show choir,” Gruber said. “The show choir set will be featuring our typical showmanship and choreography.
“And our tenor bass section is singing the most incredible arrangement of We Three Kings – it's mind blowing.”
Tickets and information can be found at http://bigrocksingers.com.
