Hot off the heals of its 25th anniversary year, the Cantores Celestes Women’s Choir performs its Christmas concert, An Appalachian Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 6 at Runnymede United Church.
Director and founder Kelly Galbraith promises "the most exciting" of Christmas programs yet.
The 55-woman choir will perform a selection of seasonal songs, including Gwyneth Walker’s Appalachian Carols, Randol Alan Bass’ Gloria and Giulio Caccini’s Ave Maria. Musicians joining the choir in this celebration are The Trillium Brass, banjo player/guitarist and CBC host Tom Power, violinist John Showman and accompanist Ellen Meyer, one of Ontario’s most in-demand collaborative pianists, said Galbraith, who founded the choir in 1989.
"Our annual Christmas concert is an opportunity to bring families and community members together," said Galbraith, a longtime CBC Radio music producer. "Our program embodies the joy of two musical traditions – bluegrass music and classical music."
Continuing the tradition of giving back to the community, Cantores Celestes will donate $1,000 to the Romero House, a local charity that has provided housing, settlement and advocacy services to more than 6,000 individuals and families since 1992 (www.romerohouse.org). To date, the choir has donated more than $40,000 to local and international communities in need.
The concert takes place Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd. Admission is $25 at the door. There is no reserved seating.
Visit www.cantorescelestes.com for details.