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Encore! promises festive fun and ‘Oliver’ sneak peek

Celebrate Christmas with the Encore! Women’s Choir as they perform a concert titled Deo Gracias
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Encore! Women’s Choir is ready to celebrate the season with a varied program. And watch for a sneak peek at ‘Oliver’.

Celebrate Christmas with the Encore! Women’s Choir as they perform a concert titled Deo Gracias on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Christian Reformed Church in Duncan starting at 2 p.m.

Christine Dandy leads the choir in a celebration of the festive season.

The award-winning choir is back for its ninth annual Christmas event, and the 23 singers have been busy rehearsing a collection of songs to envelop the audience in the spirit of Christmas.

The menu includes sections of the exuberant ‘Ceremony of Carols’ by Benjamin Britten, Mozart’s haunting piece ‘Lacrymosa,’ in an arrangement for treble voices, and the unique arrangement of ‘Instrument of Peace’ by Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy.

To balance these more complex selections, there are also heartwarming melodies such as ‘Nutcracker Jingle’, ‘Cradle Hymn’, and ‘Somewhere in My Memory’, which the audience may recognize from the classic Christmas movie, Home Alone.

Cameo performances include Peter Weinkam (new husband to longtime chorister Trish Dandy), who will accompany the choir on organ and violin; a piano duet by Rykie Avenant and Catharina De Beer and a teaser from the upcoming Cowichan Musical Society’s production of the musical Oliver, with Dominic Fagan (Oliver) singing, ‘Where is Love?’ and Grant Mellemstrand (Fagan) singing ‘Reviewing the Situation.’

There will be something for every facet of the holiday season in this year’s Christmas concert, including playful works as well as classic carols.

You’ll enjoy some new songs like ‘Mary Sat a-Rockin’, listen for familiar melodies in ‘Wolfgang’s Christmas Canon’, and raise your voice (and spirit) with a few sing-along carols.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Children under 12 get in for $5.

Get your tickets from 250-715-1568, or www.encorewomenschoir.com. They are also available from Volume One Books and also from Encore! choir members.