Nanaimo Island Consort Choir sings the season for the first time in two years – Nanaimo News Bulletin

A Nanaimo vocal ensemble reunites in song for the first time in two years.

On December 11, the Island Consort Choir will present their seasonal program, Singing for Christmas, at St. Andrew’s United Church. This is the first time the ensemble has performed together since their 2019 Christmas show.

“We had rehearsals until early March 2020, but of course we had to screw it up,” director Bruce Farquharson said.

Although the choir hasn’t been able to get together for much of the past year and a half, Farquharson said the members always stay connected virtually.

“We have tried to maintain a kind of cohesion through the Zoom meetings,” he said. “At the beginning we had quiz nights and laughed a few times. In 2020, I also said to the band, “I’m going to search my library and send each of you a song that I think characterizes you. So they each have a piece of music that the whole group could see and hear.

The Island Consort finally resumed in-person rehearsals in September and Farquharson said he had managed to retain most of his singers and brought in a few replacements to “all go well.”

He said Singing for Christmas will feature a mix of familiar Christmas songs and carols, some serious, some lighter.

“Some of them have arrangements and tunes that aren’t so familiar, so they’re new in that sense,” Farquharson said. “We have a German track and a few French tracks that are in the mix and we’re going to have a lot of backing this time around.”

Seven pieces will be performed on the organ and a few more on the piano courtesy of Nanoose Bay musician Jenny Vincent, a frequent accompanist with the Island Consort.

“I kind of think the organ sounds a little Christmas,” Farquharson said.

WHAT IS ON … The Island Consort presents Singing for Christmas at St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., on December 11 at 2:30 pm Tickets are $ 20 for adults, $ 5 for students and free for children under 13 years old. Available at the door. Proof of vaccination and mandatory masks.

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