Spectrum Singers performing at St. Mike’s
Fresh from their performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City in November, the Spectrum Singers will be performing their Christmas concert, Sweet Suite Christmas, at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kelowna today and Saturday.
The concert will include three of the five suites the choir sang at Carnegie Hall.
The choir had been invited by Distinguished Concerts Singers International New York to perform at the East Coast premiere of International Carol Suites, a fivemovement work featuring Christmas carols from 21 different countries, conducted by composer Mark Hayes.
Twenty-three Spectrum Singers flew to New York to sing alongside 10 other choral groups hailing from Florida to California.
The Spectrum Singers were the only Canadian contingent in the 271-member choir.
It was the experience of a lifetime to perform at Carnegie Hall under Mark Hayes.
“He is an amazing conductor,” said Harold Derksen with the Spectrum Singers. “He made two hours, three hours go by in a flash.”
The Carnegie Hall performance received a standing ovation.
“There was no hesitation, the audience was up clapping and there were lots of whistles,” said Derksen.
Derksen, who is accustomed to singing with five basses in the Spectrum Singers, estimated there were 30 second basses in the Carnegie Hall choir.
“I felt like I was at the front of a big tugboat of voices,” said Derksen. “It was just powerful to have that many men singing a low bass part.”
Derksen was proud of the Spectrum Singers’ contribution to the performance, noting choir director Kim Kleinberg prepared them well.
“At the end, to get this standing ovation, it just put icing on the cake,” said Derksen.
Following the concert, the singers attended a late night banquet for the performers where they burst into an impromptu chorus of O Canada.
Chilly weather didn’t stop the group from visiting the sights of New York including the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park and Times Square and taking in shows such as Come from Away and Wicked.
Now home from their adventure, Spectrum Singers have been inspired by their trip to New York to consider future international travel.
The choir is also looking at potentially hosting the International Choral Festival in West Kelowna in the future.
The program for Sweet Suite Christmas includes three of the five suites composed by Mark Hayes that the Spectrum Singers performed in New York. Each suite touches on about seven carols. The final carol suite finishes with a glorious climax and ends the evening on a high note, said Derksen.
The soprano soloist will be Alexa Hildebrandt. A four-piece band will accompany the singers.
Tickets for Sweet Suite Christmas cost $20 for adults and $10 for students and children.
Buy your tickets at the West Kelowna UPS Store, Mosaic Books in Kelowna or at the door.