Songs Strings and Steps presents A Symphony for Christmas on Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23 at Central Heights Church.
The concert is at 7 p.m. both days, with an additional performance on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The annual Christmas event with music director Calvin Dyck is a variety show that combines traditional and holiday favourites.
The concert features a full symphony orchestra, along with a 50-voice choir from Pacific Voices and special features with vocalist Robbie Down, percussionist Luke Hildebrand and dancer Desiree Manning.
Manning’s performance credits include numerous movie productions and several contracts with Disney Cruise Lines.
Highlights include Mel Bowker’s stirring arrangement of O Holy Night, featuring Dyck on violin.
The full orchestra combining professional musicians from Vancouver with the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra performs excerpts from The Nutcracker and classic arrangements of Sleigh Ride and Polar Express.
The ensemble presents new arrangements by Matt Riley of We Three Kings, Carol of the Bells and What Child is This?
The brass choir features O Magnum Mysterium, and Brooklyn Gerber plays a solo piano version of You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
The audience will be invited to sing along on favourite carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful and Angels We Have Heard on High.
In addition, Pacific Voices is featured in Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah, Where the Light Begins and a mash-up called Christmas Confusion.
There will be an inspiring version of Little Drummer Boy featuring virtuoso drummer Luke Hildebrandt and a unique re-telling of Luke 2 with the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra, choreographed by Sylvia Friesen.
Baritone Robbie Down will be featured on Michael W. Smith’s Welcome to Our World and Noel (made famous by Lauren Daigle).
Visit calvindyck.com/concerts for tickets and more information.
A music video of O Holy Night produced by Pacific Voices and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and shot on location at Clayburn Village in October can be viewed on YouTube (search “O Holy Night – Calvin Dyck Abbotsford Youth Orchestra”).