FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Coquitlam BC – November 22, 2016
A bit of Sweden comes to the Evergreen Cultural Centre on December 11
Coastal Sound Choirs once again surprise and delight with their annual holiday concert, Comfort and Joy. This year, the choral celebration on Sunday December 11th begins with the centuries-old Swedish tradition of Sankta Lucia, where a processional of white robed choristers sings the Swedish Sankta Lucia songs by candlelight. As in Sweden, a singer dressed as Sankta Lucia–Saint Lucy–wears a crown of candles on her head, leading the procession of choristers. It is said that by celebrating Saint Lucy’s Day, the patron saint of light, one will be able to cope and live through the long winter days.
“Our Children’s Choir was asked if we might be able to re-enact a Sankta Lucia processional, and I fell in love with the luminous music that is part of this tradition,” says artistic director Diana Clark. “We actually have a singer named Lucy in the choir this year, so it was easy to decide who would be wearing the crown of candles!”
Although we don’t have the same kind of dark and snowy winters that they do in Sweden, Coastal Sound is bringing some of that candlelight glow to the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
“In Sweden, the processional includes “Star Boys” that wear tall white hats with stars on them, but we have instead put our own spin on this idea, weaving in our own local traditions,” explains Clark, who is known for her creative productions.
Listeners can expect to really get into the spirit of the season, with audience sing- a-longs, thoughtful piano interludes, rousing pieces sung by a massed choir of 100 singers, and the warmth of emotion that the music evokes.
In these family-friendly holiday concerts, you will grin at the adorable youngsters, sing-along exuberantly and enjoy holiday music old and new. You will be ready for winter and the Christmas season after Coastal Sound singers wrap you in sweet sounds!
On December 11th Comfort & Joy concerts includes singers “small to tall” in a well-paced and varied program that audiences have come to expect and love from Coastal Sound choirs.
Comfort & Joy: Sunday, December 11th, 2016. 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm–Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam.
3PM: Sources, Con Brio, Con Vita, Boychoir, Con Bella, Sources, Children’s Choir & DeCoro
7PM: Coastal Sound Children’s Choir, DeCoro, Con Bella and Coastal Sound Youth Choir
Ticket pricing and purchase information for all shows at www.coastalsoundmusic.com.
About Coastal Sound Music Academy
Coastal Sound’s mission is to transform lives and build community through choral music. The goals of this non-profit society are to inspire each singer to develop to their fullest potential as individuals, musicians and as caring, engaged citizens. The organization, based in the Tri-Cities since 1989, strives to nurture healthy developing voices and musical excellence.
From the wee 4-5 year old “Sources” song play program, to the professional and award winning Youth and Children’s Choirs, to DeCoro a choral experience for adults, to a choir for all boys, there is a place for singers to share a sense of spirit, artistry, heart and community.
For more information, photos or to request an interview contact:
Andrea Howorth at 604.552.2762
@coastalsound