Barbara Roden
Free Press
Get ready to “Swing Into Christmas” when the Eclectica Community Choir presents its annual benefit concert in support of the 100 Mile Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Outreach.
The event takes place on Dec. 13 at Martin Exeter Hall (behind the Red Coach Inn) in 100 Mile House from 2 to 4 p.m.
Front Porch Bluegrass Band and organist Daven Mapson will entertain audience members with a seasonal pre-concert show starting at 1:30 p.m.
The concert features a mix of jazzy, sacred, spiritual, and contemporary pieces and choir spokesperson Barbara Hooper says that’s how the choir, which has been going since the 1980s, got its name. “We have such an eclectic song list!”
She adds the choir’s music selection committee decided on the program in the fall, and the singers began getting music in September.
Musical director Marilyn Buyar notes the diversity of selections, which include an African Noel, a Japanese folk song, and Vivaldi’s Gloria, which will feature Mapson on the organ.
“Our audience [Christmas] carol sing-along is always popular. It’s wonderful to hear so many voices singing together with joyful abandon.”
The choir has between 50 and 60 members at a given time, and Hooper says they don’t turn anyone away.
“You don’t have to be able to read music. We include anyone, of any age, and really encourage men to come.”
Rehearsals are every Wednesday night (except in summer), and at the start of the fall/winter and spring sessions newcomers are encouraged to come along and see if they want to continue.
Admission to the concert is by donation, with all money received going to the food banks.
“There’s a real need there at Christmas,” Hooper says, adding that for many people, the annual Christmas concert marks the start of the holiday season.
Buyar notes the audience will hear some lively, uplifting music, as well as a few introspective arrangements.
“They’ll certainly leave with a melody, and perhaps a fond memory of a Christmas past, in their thoughts.
“Singing together is a life-enhancing experience for our singers. We always leave practice with our spirits lifted.”
Hooper agrees: “It’s a good support group full of happy people.”
