Music and laughter filled the air at the Eclectica Community Choir’s Annual Benefit Concert held at Martin Exeter Hall on Dec. 10.
Cash admission for the event totalled $2,919.00 and was donated to Loaves and Fishes and the 100 Mile Food Bank as a way to help the two organizations continue the vital role they play in the community.
“We all know that right across Canada food banks have been experiencing a really serious growth in the number of people in need,” said Wendy Hamblin from the 100 Mile House Food Bank, adding that with the way costs have risen across the board, it is no surprise there are people who can no longer meet their basic food needs.
This was a sentiment echoed by Loaves and Fishes organizer Trudy Endacott as the two expressed their gratitude to the crowd.
“Giving has been increasing here whereas when you watch the news they’re all crying it’s harder,” Endacott said. “But the giving is increasing here. This is an amazing town so thank you so much.”
The concert performed to a full house with a delightful mix of old holiday favourites, poems and traditional carols sung in a variety of languages.
A highlight of the program was an audience carol sing-along where the crowd joined the choir in singing “Joy To The World,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night.”
Scattered laughter went through the crowd when Hooper announced that the second verse of Silent Night was in German.
“Oh, will you look at that,” she said, referring to a sheet of lyrics handed out with the program, “the second verse is in German.” When speaking German you pronounce pretty much every letter Hooper said, giving a verbal demonstration.
“So bring on your inner German,” she concluded, calling on the German-speaking members of the audience to sing extra loud.
A highly entertaining rendition of You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch was given by Heather Jensen during the second half of the concert. Her facial expressions and hand gestures helped nail down Grinch and his heart full of unwashed socks.
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is most commonly an instrumental piece of music. Accompanied by Donna Forward on the piano, the choir did a highly enjoyable vocal rendition right down to the sounds of the celesta, a small instrument with a bell-like sound.
There were a number of solos and ensemble pieces performed throughout the afternoon including Kelsey Fast singing “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” and an ensemble singing “Leise rieselt der Schnee.”
There was a change of pace when Jan Baker stepped up to recite “I Wonder (About Christmas).” The poem seems to question how materialistic Christmas has become in the age of technology and what has been lost.
John King was clearly in the festive spirit, wearing a Christmas tree tie and Santa hat as he stepped up to the mic. His holiday-themed jokes prompted a round of laughter from the audience before he went into some of the history and meaning behind Mel Torme’s and Robert Wells’ “The Christmas Song.” It was a lovely version of an old holiday favourite.
Gratitude was extended to the District of 100 Mile House and the Cariboo Regional District for their ongoing financial support in putting the concert on while the simplymastery was thanked for their continuing coverage of the choir in the paper.
“Just a quick reminder, we rehearse on Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. at the United Church,” said Director Shaw. “We’re starting a new semester in January so if you’ve ever had the urge to come join us up here on the stage we’d like you to come on out - Jan. 17 is our first night, we’d love to see you there.”
The afternoon wound up with the choir singing “A Holly Jolly Christmas” with Margot Shaw conducting and choir members taking their final bows to a standing ovation.
