Get ready for a Yuletide treat and Christmas singalong.
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That’s the invitation for audiences on Friday, December 8, when the Sapphire Coast Concert Band and Spirit Allegro Chamber Choir join forces for a Christmas Concert at Club Sapphire, Merimbula.
The program will be a mix of seasonal music for band and choir, and there will also be opportunity for the audience join in with some favourite carols.
Pieces from the concert band will include an arrangement of Franz Biebl’s Ave Maria for concert band and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas featuring David Francis, the conductor of Spirit Allegro, who will sing the vocal solo.
Pieces from the choir will include traditional Australian carols, and a mix of medieval and contemporary choir pieces. Talented young pianist Luca Ziino will also perform several piano solos.
As a finale, the band and choir will combine for a rendition of A Holiday Sing Along, a medley of carols arranged by John Moss.
Newly appointed conductor with Spirit Allegro David Francis said the 30-odd members have been in rehearsals since October.
The Bermagui local said he felt like a bit of an “outsider” in the choir of predominantly Merimbula and Pambula-based singers, but he was loving the challenge of conducting.
“I’m new to the choir with the previous artistic director Sandy moving to Melbourne. I said I’d step in to help out through the Christmas period, but I’m really enjoying it and think I might stay on,” Francis said.
“The real highlight for me has been getting to know all the choir members and learning how they learn.”
“We’re tackling a rather challenging repertoire with this series of concerts...but they are all incredibly committed,” Francis said.
To add to the festive atmosphere the auditorium will be arranged in a mixture of theatre and cabaret style seating.
Tickets are available by calling Club Sapphire on 6495 1306. children under 12 free. The show starts at 7pm.
Meanwhile, Spirit Allegro will also be performing at other concerts in the region through December.
On Saturday, December 9, from 7pm, they will be at St Joseph’s Church, Merimbula along with Heartsong Choir.
Then on Sunday, December 10, the two choirs head to St John’s Anglican Church in Bega, also from 7pm.
On Sunday, December 17 it’s Pambula’s turn to enjoy the sounds of Spirit Allegro with a concert at Christ Church from 3pm. This time around the choir’s carol singing will be juxtaposed with poetry and prose reading by Karl Auer.
Tickets for each of these three performances are available at the door.