Calvin Dyck, the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and the Alumni Project present Light, a Christmas concert, on Dec. 21 and 22.
This collaborative project features a variety of traditional carols, jazz, gospel and classical music – from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto to Little Drummer Boy with Ajay Klassen doing beat-boxing.
Sonja Hindmarsh and Carmen Hollett, co-directors of the Alumni Project, realized that a number of their talented friends in the valley had no outlet for their talents, and they wanted an opportunity to perform together.
The two had coffee with Dyck, an Abbotsford violinist and conductor, and dreamed up a concert that will include a high-energy God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with tap dancer Carissa Selbie, the Pentatonix version of Little Drummer Boy, a glee club spoof called 12 Days of Christmas Confusion, John Rutter’s What Sweeter Music and Mel Bowker’s inspiring arrangement of O Holy Night.
The title for the concert was inspired by O Nata Lux (translated O Light born of Light) by Los Angeles master composer Morten Lauridsen.
Written for a capella choir, Lauridsen creates a soundscape of eerily beautiful harmonies.
The string orchestra will be featured in the Baroque Christmas Concerto by Arcangelo Corelli, the movements interspersed with the real Christmas story from Luke 2.
Five violinists are featured in the Barrage version of Carol of the Bell, and the audience will be invited to join in singing traditional carols such as O Come all Ye Faithful and Angels we have heard on High.
The concert is rounded out with candlelight, choreography, costumes, video interviews, and other surprises.
“Our vision is to create different scenes on stage, and combine local talent with professionals for an experience that will uplift and inspire,” Dyck said.
There are three concerts in the series. The first two are at South Abbotsford Church at 2 and 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21.
The third concert is at Bethany Baptist in Richmond at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Tickets are available at House of James or King’s Music. For more information, visit calvindyck.com.