A little more than half of the Craig Bay Choristers perform at the Craig Bay clubhouse for seniors before their winter concert on Dec. 8 at Knox United Church. — Adam Kveton Photo

The Craig Bay Choristers are set to bring some joy and cheer in a big way with their upcoming concert Dec. 8, which will add the Village Voices to the already 48-person choir for several songs.

The choristers are preparing for their big winter performance in their usual way — with half-choir performances for seniors.

At one such performance on Thursday, Nov. 30, the NEWS caught up with choir conductor Lonnie Moddle.

She said the choir’s smaller performances are one way the group reaches out to the community to give back. “These things are part of our mission statement,” she said.

The choristers also give back by donating what they can each year from their concerts to the Oceanside Hospice.

The choristers’ music itself is another significant way the group works to give back to the community, especially during the holidays.

“It’s something that brings a lot of joy,” said Moddle of the winter concert and the holiday music the group performs.

This year, the concert is taking it’s name from a Rita MacNeil song — Now The Bells Ring — which the choristers will perform. While several songs to be performed at the concert will include bells, the choral version is also arranged by Vancouver choral conductor Willi Zwozdesky, which adds a little local appeal, said Moddle.

Several of the choristers’ performances will have even more punch than usual at the winter concert, as they will be joined by the Village Voices of Qualicum Beach for three songs.

The Village Voices will perform five songs on their own, while the other three will be split between the start and finish of the concert, said Moddle. “It’s going to be a big sound for the end of that concert,” she said.

The concert takes place Friday, Dec. 8, at Knox United Church beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for adults are $15 while children under 12 are free. Tickets can be purchased at Mulberry Bush bookstores or at the door, though Moddle noted that the concert often sells out quickly, so look into getting a ticket sooner rather than later.

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adam.kveton@pqbnews.com

Parksville Qualicum Beach News