The Elora Festival Singers are ready for their winter series of concerts.
The Singers will be returning from their first tour of Atlantic Canada on Oct. 5.
Once back in Elora, the concerts start on Oct. 26 at 2:30pm at St. John’s Church in Elora with Lift Up Your Heart, music for choir and organ with special guest organist James O’Donnell. The organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey, O’Donnell is considered one of the leading British musicians of his generation.
On Nov. 16 at 4pm, the Singers present Visions Through Darkness – An Oratorio for our Time. Originally commissioned by Noel Edison in 1988, the Srul Irving Glick oratorio has been performed only once before.
December brings performances at St. John’s Church that will put concert-goers in the mood for the holidays. Handel’s beloved Messiah, a tradition and annual rite in Elora, will take place on Dec. 14 at 3pm.
The Festival of Carols, with Michael Bloss at the organ, will have three performances; Dec. 18 at 5pm and 8pm, and Dec. 22 at 7pm. In addition to both the choir and the audience singing popular Christmas tunes, Canon Robert Hulse will once again amuse with humorous anecdotes geared towards Christmas.
On Jan. 25 at 1:30pm at St. John’s, the Singers present a “soup concert,” Cross Border Shopping. Following a lunch at 1:30, the 3pm event will include the works of American and Canadian composers in a repertoire of new works.
On March 28 at 4pm, at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo (the old Seagram’s Museum), Edison will conduct the Singers in a performance of The Light in the Wilderness – An Oratorio for Today, by Dave Brubeck.
Artistic director Edison is pleased with the diversity of the season.
“From the tradition of the English church to the jazz oratorio by Brubeck, the series presents a wide spectrum of interest, both popular and traditional, with something for everyone to enjoy.” said Edison.
Tickets are available at the Elora Festival office, 33 Henderson Street in Elora, or by calling 519-846-0331 or toll-free 1-888-747-7550. Discounts are available on the purchase of three or more concerts through the ‘3-plus subscription package’. Additional information can be found online at elorafestival.com.
