Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Christmas Through Time with Songs Strings & Steps


Songs Strings & Steps presents
Christmas Through Time
Calvin Dyck & the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra
Ken Lavigne, Tenor
Melanie Krueger, Soprano
Victoria Brass
Fraser Valley Academy of Dance
Boris Sichon
Sylvia Friesen – Show Design
Friday, December 19 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Central Heights Church, 1661 McCallum Road, Abbotsford
Tickets: Adults $29, Seniors $25, Students $15 (+ tax/fee)
At House of James, Kings Music

Dreams, Ticking Clocks and Time
“Christmas Through Time” with Songs Strings & Steps

Once upon a time there was a dream. It was a real dream that inspired the Songs Strings & Steps (SSS) team to produce Christmas Through Time as their 10th Annual Christmas extravaganza being held in the Central Heights Church at 1661 McCallum Road in Abbotsford on Friday, December 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 20 at both 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Says director Calvin Dyck, “When Uncle Harold told us about a dream he had this past summer, of Christmas through time, I thought it was a brilliant theme for our show. As a result, the team has come up with a program that celebrates Christmas through the ages, from Medieval and Baroque days, right up to the present.”

Timely talent: As with traditional SSS concerts, this show is filled with the exceptional talents of the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra (AYO), Fraser Valley Academy of Dance (FVAD), local actors, dancers and men’s choral ensemble, plus a few distinguished professional musicians from Calvin’s many connections that include the Victoria Brass, world musician Boris Sichon, soprano Melanie Krueger, and pianist Mel Bowker. “I’m really excited about having tenor Ken Lavigne join us this year,” says Calvin. “Ken has just released his Christmas album, Comfort & Joy, and I love his new arrangements of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Upon a Midnight Clear.” Ken made a name for himself by singing at Carnegie Hall, and will be singing at the Sydney Opera House in 2015.

The dream comes true: Once again the production team has outdone itself with sets, props, costumes, choreography and treats for the audience. Adds Calvin, “Besides the musical aspect, we want to create the feeling of what it would be like in a certain time and place.”

From monk’s robes and Gregorian chant, to the Nutcracker fantasy, ticking clocks and snowballs - the audience is in for a really spectacular time-travelling thrill. And of course, not to forget the main ingredient - fantastic Christmas music – with surprises - all in perfect time!

Musical moments: Calvin, as director, keeps time with his baton and violin; Boris Sichon performs on the Duduk (Armenian flute) with a costume that looks like it’s from the first century; the Victoria Brass and tenor Ken Lavigne lead the audience in Joy to the World & Hark the Herald; Melanie Krueger’s voice soars with Let the Bright Seraphim; the AYO presents a choreographed Syncopated Clock; Mel Bowker joins Calvin for Silver Bells; the FVAD performs a scene from The Nutcracker; Andrew and Christine will recite “Clearly” – a new poem by Alvin Ens, and not to forget, it’s Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’s 75th Anniversary. Adds Calvin, “Of course, we will include traditional sing-along carols, and a re-telling of the real Christmas Story.

That’s just a sampling of this outstanding show that leads up to a magnificent full-cast, spine-tingling O Holy Night.

Time flies: Clocks tick away and before you know it, it will be show time, so there’s no time to lose in reserving your seat for this fabulous theatrical journey – Christmas Through Time. Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for seniors and $15 for students (plus tax and fee) at House of James of King’s Music.

 

 

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