A Christmas concert helping those in need
When the Burlington Concert Band and their musical guests, the Dofasco Male Chorus and Ladies Choral Ensemble, perform together this Saturday at Wellington Square United, it’ll be more than just a Christmas concert. It’ll be another opportunity for both organizations to carry out their mandate to help others in need.
As the Burlington Concert Band’s website states: “Our band is unique in that we primarily perform to raise money for charitable causes. Over the years the band has raised over $40,000 for local charities.”
And that of the Dofasco Male Chorus stipulates they “assist charitable organizations in their fundraising efforts throughout southern Ontario while providing an evening of very enjoyable entertainment.”
True to their words, the proceeds from the concert are earmarked for the Burlington Food Bank.
So, on with the show, er, “On with the Snow,” the title of the BCB’s bill.
OK, OK, we know what you’re thinking: the entertainment boils down to yet another syncretistic celebration of Christmas with the musicians trotting out their tired, traditional tunes about Santa, Frosty, angels and the baby Jesus.
But not so fast, according to BCB music director Zoltan Kalman.
“I think the main problem with Christmas concerts in general is that you always hear the same (songs) over and over again,” said Kalman on the phone from his Hamilton home.
“You need to find something fresh. Something that the others have never heard before. It’s still awesome to be able to play traditional music, but we just need to find something more eclectic, maybe even provocative, you know, keep the audience interested and motivated. I have no objections to traditional per se. What I like to do is take a step back, do something fresh that is not traditional, if you will.”
Case in point: Jeff Simmons’s “Cowboy Christmas,” a chart from 2009 that sounds like the Magnificent Seven, finds itself smack dab in the middle of a medley of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Jingle Bells,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”
Case in point number two: Bob Phillips and George Megaw’s take on “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” by Robert Kinkel and the late Paul O’Neill, of Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra fame, a number that combines “Carol of the Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.”
“It’s a very provoking medley of Christmas tunes, which describes
a performer playing Christmas tunes during the Bosnian War,” said Kalman. “It’s a reflection of the power music can bring to us.”
Some of the BCB’s other tunes are “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Visions of Sugar Plums,” “Carol of the Drum” and “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.”
Nancy Bullivant will lead the Dofasco Male Chorus in a solo set that includes “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Away in a Manger.” After intermission, she’ll direct the Dofasco Ladies Choral Ensemble in a solo set.
The grand finale will hear the BCB and the Dofasco choristers in “Big Band Santa,” “On With
the Snow” and “It’s the Holiday Season.” In their encore, “The Name’s Claus … Santa Claus,” the James Bond 007 musical cue is heard ushering in a seasonal medley.
Oh, just about forgot: the evening will open with “O Canada.” Yup. Tradition, tradition.
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Friday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall of St. John’s Anglican, 272 Wilson St. E., Ancaster, Sinfonia Ancaster presents a Holiday concert with Ensemble Lyrica. Tickets: $15. Log on to sinfoniaancaster.com.
Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 320 Charlton Ave. W., Roger Bergs’ Musicata performs “Drums and Dances,” Christmas music for choir and drums with guest percussionists Stefan Kitai and Bryan Allen. Tickets at door: $25, senior $20, student $5, children free.
Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. in New Westminster Presbyterian, 1025 King St. E., Southern Ontario Lyric Opera presents Julie and Jeremy Ludwig in arias and sacred music with SOLO Chorus members accompanied by Sabatino Vacca. Tickets at door: $20. Call 905-630-4559.
Sunday at 3 p.m. in St. Matthew on-the-Plains, 126 Plains Rd. E., Burlington, Janice Beninger and the Burlington Welsh Ladies’ Chorus are in concert with the Blundell Brass. Tickets: at door $20, advance $15, student $10. Call 905-335-5966.