Celebrate the spirit of the season when Stratford Concert Choir presents ‘Christmas in Canada’

Stratford Concert Choir (SCC) invites the public to join them in a celebration of the season as they present the “Christmas in Canada” concert Nov. 29 at St. James Anglican Church beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The spirit of Christmas will come alive with the wonderful concept of combining song with spoken word. The concert is framed around the book, Sleds, Sleighs, and Snow: A Canadian Christmas Carol by Anne Templeman-Kluit and will feature readings by well known voices of Stratford: author and musician Kelly Walker, former CBC broadcaster Judy Maddren and Blythe playwright Duncan McGregor.

Artistic director Alexander Cann came across the book about 10 years ago while always on the lookout for new and inventive ways to program Christmas concerts.

“I was looking for something that would enliven a Christmas program or connect with a Christmas choral concert audience today. That’s why it really caught my attention,” said Cann in a release.

Christine Dowdall is currently in her fourteenth season with the choir of 45 voices. In the context of Christmas, she believes this is the first time that spoken word unites with the choir.

“I think it’s a really exciting project because the stories contained in that book are amazing with different snippets from people’s lives from all over the country. That will make it very, very special and we have lovely people coming to read,” said Dowdall.

Brad Stager is a retired schoolteacher who joined the choir in the winter of 2021. As a former teacher, he found the concept of incorporating the spoken word with song intriguing.

“I think that’s great, that’s something I have always loved delving into, the story behind music. Stories and music are really inspiring,” said Stager.

The book gathered a diverse collection of stories, from poems, newspaper reports and personal experiences, to paint a picture of the Christmas experience across Canada. The stories span 400 years of Canadian, French, Indigenous culture. Passages from the book will be intertwined with song to weave a story of the history of Canada with the tradition of carol singing.

The music features a sequence of acapella arrangements by well-known Canadian conductor and composer Jon Washburn and well as classics by other great Canadian composers like Healy Willan, Mark Sirett and Derek Holman. Organist Stephen Boda and pianist Paula Ortelli will accompany the choir and audience in many Christmas favourites.

“I think Mark Sirett’s ‘Love Came Down at Christmas’ is a favourite. I think the words are just beautiful because it’s just showing the love that came in Jesus for us and God’s love in sending him to us. The tune of it, the melody is just beautiful,” said Dowdall.

This concert will appeal to anyone of any walk and stage of life, families, young and old.

“There will be something for everyone to identify with. Families can come and learn and join in the songs, there are some traditional ones and familiar ones,” said Dowdall.

“Come in with an open mind and just sit and take it all in with your ears and mind. I hope they walk out saying it’s a beautiful show. I’m looking forward to it. Getting to that dress rehearsal week and getting to hear the readings as well will be really cool,” said Stager.

Dowdall too hopes the audience will start their Christmas season with a variety of different music and songs, some that they will know very well, and others may be something they never thought of doing that way before.

Tickets are $20 for adults and free for anyone under 20 years of age, making this one of the most accessible concerts of the year. Tickets can be purchased at stratfordconcertchoir.org, in person at Blowes Stationary or at the door of St. James Anglican Church, Nov. 29. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.