Bytown Voices sing of the mysterious and angelic
Performance takes place 3 p.m. Sunday, December 8
Bytown Voices Choir welcomes you to attend their annual December concert entitled Shadows and Light. Please join us at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 8 in Knox Presbyterian Church where we will sing songs of the mysterious and angelic. Conducted by Joan Fearnley, the choir is accompanied by pianist Carla Klassen.
Among the featured songs are the classic O Magnum Mysterium and the lovely La Nuit by Jean-Phillipe Rameau from the popular movie Les Choristes. A suite of songs by Kevin Siegfried, Angel of Light, takes its inspiration from Shaker texts and tunes.
Many of these texts were visionary in nature, based on trance encounters with angelic beings offering guidance and encouragement to the faithful, some given in enigmatic, otherworldly languages. Similarly, Lunar Lullaby by Jacob Narverud reminds us that in dreams we rediscover our link to the celestial.
Two pieces inspired by the Romantic poet William Blake embody our contrasting themes of shadow and light in Tyger and The Lamb. Mystery and nightmare are both found in Fauré’s Les Djinn and A Dance of Ghosts, A Midnight Revel by Hector Berlioz.
More seasonal fare is offered in Iesous ahatonnia (Jesus is Born), a new arrangement of the Huron Carol by Sarah Quartel with texts by Wendat poet Andrée Levesque Sioui. This timely version celebrates the valued example of how those who have gone before can teach us the way to live in a circle of inclusion and friendship. Both the Basque carol, The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas continue our Christmas theme.
Open to members
Joan Fearnley has directed Bytown Voices for over eight years. Her leadership experience includes years conducting both the women’s and children’s choirs at Notre Dame Basilica on Sussex Dr. Joan is a noted soprano soloist whose years of vocal training contribute to her teaching skills.
Knox Presbyterian Church is located at 120 Lisgar St., corner of Lisgar and Elgin St. Children 12 and under are free to attend the concert. Admission for adults is $20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bytownvoices.com as of November 1 and at the door on concert day. Parking is available at the nearby city hall lot (entrance on Laurier Ave.) and for free on the street.
Bytown Voices is a “no audition necessary” choir of mixed voices, soprano, alto, bass and tenor. No previous choir experience is necessary. Children aged 9 and up are eligible for membership too, making the Bytown a true community choir. We encourage parents to join with their children and are especially interested in recruiting more tenor and bass voices. We need you! Members benefit from many online learning supports offered in a nurturing environment. For more info on registering for our January term go to our website.
This article was written by Mary Forster, has sung with Bytown Voices for over four years. She strongly encourages anyone who loves to sing to try Bytown Voices out. It’s a fine choir with a supportive ethic.
