The Vancouver Island Symphony returns with one of its largest orchestras of the 2022-23 season for Christmas Memories, and it won’t be alone.
The symphony will be accompanied on the Port Theatre stage this December by the Island Consort Chamber Choir, as directed by Bruce Farquharson.
“We’re pulling from lots of fun traditions,” said Calvin Dyck, the orchestra’s guest conductor. “We’ll, of course, have some sing-along carols … There are also some surprises in the program … There may even be a snowball fight on stage.”
As the Christmas Memories performances on Dec. 3 will be the first presentation of the symphony and choir together, Dyck said he’s really looking forward to it.
“They’re one of the best local choirs we have.”
Given his experience, the conductor said he was was asked to arrange the program and plans for it to mirror what he’s done in Abbotsford for the past few decades.
Together, the choir and orchestra will perform the Christmas carol sing-along, as well as O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
They will also team up for the show’s finale of O Holy Night, which Dyck described as “an epic arrangement for orchestra, choir and soloist.”
Christmas Memories will play at the Port Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 3 in two 75-minute shows; first at 5 p.m. and then again at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.porttheatre.com.
READ MORE: Vancouver Island Symphony’s season starts with performance led by artistic director candidate
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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