A Pictou County tradition: the annual Sing Joy! concert

STELLARTON — Pictou County’s Trinitarians choir joined by the Voicetime Studio Singers, all under the direction of Monica George Punke, will present their annual Sing Joy! concert on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m., Sharon St. John United Church, Stellarton. Accompanying the choir are Sandra Johnson, piano, and Caroline Boulter, violin.

Sing Joy! always happens on the first Sunday of Advent.

“While some things don’t change about this event, other things are new and fresh every year,” says music director Monica Punke. “We don’t change the title of the concert, but we do change the content of the concert so that in 90 minutes of singing we travel from the promise of Advent, through the joyous events of Christmas, both sacred and secular. It is always a blend of musical styles and periods.”

This year’s program spans several centuries from the very old German carol, “In Dulchi Jubilo” or Canada’s own “Huron Carol,” through Camille SaintSaens “Tollite Hostias” from his Christmas Oratorio, to the very new piece, “Remembering December” by PINKZEBRA.

There will be brand-new settings of the carol Pat-a-Pan in a piece called “Hasten to the

Manger” and the carol “I Saw Three Ships.” Caroline Boulter, violin, will accompany the choir on many of its pieces including a traditional southern U.S. folk song “Harper’s Creek” telling of all-night dancing marathons held on many plantations at the Christmas season. Choir member Bethany Goodwin will add her flute playing to a couple of numbers including the “Carol of the Advent” sung by the Voicetime Studio Singers as the opener to the concert.

Audience carols and seasonal songs are always important in a Sing Joy! concert as is the concluding number when all the singers join forces to present Mark Hayes’ joyous arrangement of Christmas texts titled Sing Joy!

Among other things, Sing Joy! is always a blend of ages. From the very youngest of the Voicetime Studio Singers to the more mature but young at heart of the Trinitarians, there is a span of at least 50 years. “Sing Joy!” is intergenerational music making at its very best,” says director, Monica George Punke.

Tickets are on sale now from local choir members, at H&R Music, New Glasgow, Pictou Pharmasave, Office of Sharon St. John United Church, or by calling 902-752-1297. Adults: $15; Seniors: $12 and Students: $7. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended for this concert.