Stir Cheat Sheet: Holiday concerts to mark on your December calendar
10 Vancouver choirs and classical-musical groups stream songs of celebration this festive season
Universal Gospel Choir celebrates the season through song, virtually, at There’s Still My Joy.
CHOIRS AND CLASSICAL-music groups have always celebrated the season through song and sound, and this year is no different. The method of delivery may have changed, but there are still several glorious ways to get into the sonic spirit of the holidays. Here are standout concerts to mark on your calendar.
Universal Gospel Choir streams There’s Still My Joy, December 12 at 7:30 pm
In a virtual evening of song and celebration, the choir shows footage from its larger-than-life performance at the Orpheum Theatre in 2018, plus five new virtual choir videos and live performances by the ensemble and band. The concert is free to watch, live streaming to both YouTube and Facebook.
Good Tidings Classic! A Good Noise Christmas Video Performance, premiering December 12 at 8 pm and streaming throughout the season
Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir is known for its insanely popular, rafter-shaking live concert—and it’s not going to let COVID-19 quiet it down. Artistic and executive director Gail Suderman and her singers join their voices virtually on Christmas gospel and popular songs, while guest artist Crystal Hicks and two of the choir’s soloists, Timothy Fuller and Syllona Kanu, are filmed live from the familiar Christ Church Cathedral setting.
Music on Main’s Music for the Winter Solstice 2020 Watch Party, December 16 at 7:30 pm
Launched in 2014 at intimate Heritage Hall, Music for the Winter Solstice has become a favourite for nontraditionalists who want a meaningful celebration of the season, without the tinsel. For 2020, Music on Main gathers footage from past years (think Veda Hille, Caroline Shaw, and Gabriel Kahane) and films a new performance from vocalists Corey Payette and Julie McIsaac with pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa. Music on Main artist director David Pay plays host.
Musica Intima streams Ceremony of Carols on December 19
Benjamin Britten’s piece gets an arrangement for mixed choir (instead of its usual version as a three-part treble chorus, solo voices, and harp). Performing from Christ Church Cathedral, the choir explores its different moods, which move from reverent to festive, with the help of Vancouver harpist Janelle Nadeau. Elsewhere on the program, musica intima features choral music from composers Cecilia McDowall, Andrew Balfour, Tawnie Olson, and Matthew Larkin—all of whom, like Britten, based their lyrics on ancient texts.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra streams three separate concerts, December 12, 19, and 22, at TheConcertHall.ca
The VSO is presenting three free concerts this festive season, all available at TheConcertHall.ca. The Winter Fairy needs listeners’ and viewers’ help to get it to snow during Do Re Me Fa Snow!, hosted by Gillian Hunter-Gibbs, VSO School of Music director, December 12 at 10:30 am.
VSO Christmas Story, December 19 at 2 pm, features—as always—the one and only Christopher Gaze as well as special guests for this annual highlight.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons goes virtual in this December 22 concert at 7:30 pm being led by concertmaster Nicholas Wright.
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir.
Christmas with Chor Leoni, December 18 to January 1
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir is offering this digital concert for free as a gift to the community. The organization is encouraging people to share the link to the concert film--shot in Vancouver concert halls and churches--with family and friends around the world as a kind of global soundtrack to the holidays. RSVP to chorleoni.org/Christmas to reserve a free virtual seat, and you’ll receive a private link on December 18.
Vancouver Bach Choir presents two separate concerts, December 8 and 22
Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs is celebrating its 90th season this year. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without the Singalong (From Home) Messiah, which VBC livestreams for free on its YouTube channel December 8 at 7 pm. Maestro Leslie Dala will lead a small group of singers from its staff, joined by pianist Stephen Smith.
On December 22 at 7 pm, it’s Christmas with the Bach Choir. a fully digital event with holiday favourites and a new piece by composer Lavinia Kell Parker, winner of VBC’s third annual Choral Composition Competition. With A Touch of Brass and organist Michael Dirk, the performance features all eight choirs, recorded straight from their homes to yours.
Vancouver Chamber Music Society’s Schubert Holiday Concert streams December 20 at 2 pm to December 25
Schubert's String Quintet is back, with Vancouver Chamber Music Society’s first virtual project.
The Schubert Holiday Concert premieres on YouTube at 2 pm on December 20 and runs until December 25 featuring violinists Ji Eun Jenny Lim and Timothy Steeves, violist Katrina Chitty, and cellists Jonathan Lo and Lee Duckles. A special encore will come from Pyatt Hall.
Winter Harp presents Winter Harp: Meet the Artists, December 20 at 7 pm
Tune into Facebook or YouTube on December 20 at 7 pm for a new video, Winter Harp: Meet the Artists. This behind-the-scenes film features artists talking about their instruments and about their musical journey in life. You’ll learn about the nyckelharpa and hurdy-gurdy, plus there’s a Zoom session to follow for a live Q&A. Email winterharp@telus.net to join.
The organization has also released a beautiful new recording called Peace & Joy of Christmas available as a digital download at winterharp.bandcamp.com/album/peace-joy-of-christmas.
Elektra Women's Choir presents The Light of Hope
Returning, December 21, 6 pm
This full-length performance by composer Shawn Kirchner (Los Angeles Master Chorale composer in residence) is major a international online collaboration with 70 women’s voices to mark winter solstice. Joining Elektra are WomenSing from the Bay Area, California; Canadian soloist Allison Girvan; and members of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. The digital work also features hand-drawn animation by accomplished Syrian-born, New York-based artist Kevork Mourad, whose high-profile projects include those with Yo Yo Ma and the Korean National Opera. A pre-broadcast Meet the Artists Zoom gathering takes place December 20 at 2 pm.
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