The Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir (PMCC) presents A Blue Christmas, a collaboration with special guests Calvin Dyck and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra on Friday, Dec. 11.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Gateway Community Christian Reformed Church in Abbotsford.
In the past, these groups have hosted their own Christmas concerts, but when Dyck met with PMCC artistic director Betty-Ann Vroom earlier this year, they agreed that pooling their resources would create exciting potential.
“I always believe that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts,” Dyck said. “It makes so much sense to combine these two musical groups and partner together on this Christmas show.”
The PMCC is a group of auditioned young singers from the Fraser Valley that has travelled around the world.
This year they are presenting a North American- themed Christmas program, featuring favourites such as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, and a new arrangement of Blue Christmas by Roy Tan.
A highlight is Carol for Animals by Canadian composer Patrick Wedd, which mentions ladybugs, whales and snails, and even includes a special descant for whistlers.
Other classics in the program include Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, with choreography by Sandra Booker, and the gospel-style Da Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy featuring Calvin Dyck and Chris Savage.
Orchestra highlights include a performance of Corelli’s Christmas Concerto interspersed with readings from Luke 2, themes from the movie Polar Express, and sing-along carols with the audience.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students. They are available at King’s Music or House of James, or online at abluechristmas.brownpapertickets.com.