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Songs, Strings and Steps presents An Irish Christmas

Concerts at Gateway Church in Abbotsford on Dec. 14 and 15
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Chamber choir The Alumni Project is among the featured performers during a concert titled An Irish Christmas, presented Dec. 14 and 15 by Songs, Strings and Steps.

Songs, Strings and Steps presents An Irish Christmas in Abbotsford on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15.

The show takes place at 7 p.m. both days, with an additional 2 p.m. show on Dec. 15, at Gateway Church (2884 Gladys Ave.).

Producer Calvin Dyck is pulling together a show that includes 20 championship dancers from the Steel School of Irish Dance; The Alumni Project, a chamber choir from Abbotsford; the award-winning Abbotsford Youth Orchestra; and some surprises for the audience, including an Uilleann piper from Ireland.

This community Christmas concert has become an annual tradition for Abbotsford, with 2,300 people attending last year’s production.

Dyck says audiences love the variety of styles, the mix of professional and community talent, and the high quality of the presentation.

This year’s music will include traditional Irish carols such as the Wexford Carol, I Saw Three Ships, Once in Royal David’s City and Christmas in Killarney.

In addition, the orchestra will perform arrangements from the Gettys’ album “Joy – An Irish Christmas” and a Mercy Me arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with local tenor Michael Berg.

The Uilleann pipes are an Irish version of the famous Scottish bagpipes. The instrument name literally means “pipes of the elbow,” referring to a set of bellows which are operated by the elbow.

Players usually play this instrument indoors and most often while sitting down.

The show also includes dancing fiddlers, costumes, decorations, special treats for sale at intermission and heart-warming carols.

Visit calvindyck.com for tickets or more information.

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