The annual Songs Strings and Steps Christmas concert takes place at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7.
The show, directed by violinist Calvin Dyck, features tenor Ken Lavigne, who has sung at Carnegie Hall in New York. It includes several carols from Lavigne’s album Comfort and Joy with arrangements by Roy Tan, including In the Bleak Midwinter, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Upon a Midnight Clear and Away in a Manger.
Also featured is the Victoria-based Festive Brass Ensemble with some arrangements for brass quintet, including Lo, How a Rose and the Huron Carol.
The Festive Brass have made a name for themselves with frequent performances at Butchart Gardens and extensive touring on Vancouver Island.
The Abbotsford Youth Orchestra senior division violinists perform the Barrage arrangement of Jingle Bells with choreography by Sylvia Friesen, and there will be several surprises for the audience.
The orchestra presents Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the Corelli Christmas Concerto.
As has become tradition, the concert ends with Mel Bowker’s arrangement of O Holy Night featuring Dyck as violin soloist.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 7.
Tickets are $32 (plus taxes/fees) general, $30 for seniors and $15 for students. They are available at calvindyck.com/concerts.
