Songs Strings and Steps presents Christmas Stories on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Central Heights Church (1661 McCallum Rd.).
Crafted by Calvin Dyck and Sylvia Friesen, this variety concert combines the talents of the British Columbia Boys Choir, the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra, Fraser Valley Academy of Dance, the Sound Wave hand bell choir and the Jubilate Clarinet Ensemble with costumes, staging and stories.
In addition to the traditional Christmas story and familiar carols, the theme of the production revolves around the book Carpenter’s Gift.
This story is a heartwarming tale for all ages that brings together two traditions – the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbour-helping-neighbour philosophy of Habitat for Humanity.
Inspired by the story, Dyck and Friesen decided to make Habitat for Humanity a beneficiary of the concert, and each member of the audience will receive a surprise gift at the end of the concert.
Highlights from the evening will include arrangements of O Tannenbaum, O Little Town of Bethlehem and O Holy Night.
The brass will be featured in O Magnum Mysterium, and the boys choir, which toured Europe this past summer, will present a movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria as well as the hilarious Cold and Fugue Season.
Sound Wave hand bell choir is an honour choir from Burnaby that performs with four and a half octaves of Schulmerich bells and Suzuki chimes, and will be featured in Carol of the Bells and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
The Abbotsford Youth Orchestra will perform Bugler’s Holiday with choreography, while decked out in fun Christmas sweaters.
The Jubilate Ensemble, directed by Juilliard School graduate Christopher Lee, will present an up-beat version of Jingle Bells,
In addition, violinist and conductor Dyck will be featured as soloist in arrangements by Mel Bowker.
To pull off the production, Friesen and Dyck have surrounded themselves with a professional technical team to handle lights, sound, costuming, stage design and visual backdrops.
Tickets are available at House of James or King’s Music, or online at eventbrite.ca. Visit calvindyck.com for more information.
The concert will also be held Dec. 21 at Bethany Baptist Church in Richmond.