Take note: Sounds to get you in tune with the season
I t’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas, as choirs, bands and groups, large and small, get in tune with the holidays with performances of popular seasonal music at a number of events and venues.
Tuba Christmas — Listen to more than 70 musicians with tubas and euphoniums produce the mellow (and unique) tone of massed, low-brass instruments at Tuba Christmas.
This is the 39th year of the event, where an all-brass ensemble band will puff out familiar tunes on their highlypolished instruments.
Performers include musicians from across British Columbia and beyond, current and retired music teachers, as well as past and present members of the Naden Band.
The tuba, with its deep, umpah sound is often not immediately apparent in an orchestra. But without it, the music lacks body.
Although watching the performance is free, donations will be accepted for the Times Colonist Christmas Fund. The concert runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the courtyard of Market Square, 560 Johnson St. For more information, go to finearts.uvic.ca/music/calendar/events or Facebook.
Winter Harp — Enjoy an audio and sensory experience at a concert filled with music, song, festive carols and enchanting stories performed by a world-class ensemble of harps.
Listen to haunting arrangements on rare medieval instruments, hand drums, bells, chimes, flutes and vocals with performers wearing medieval attire.
Celtic carols will be sung with a backdrop of candles, cathedrals and snow.
Tickets are $36. The concert starts at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan. For more information, go to cowichanpac.ca/event/ winter-harp-0.
Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular — Now in its 11th year, this extravaganza of music, dance and lights has become a family tradition on Vancouver Island.
This year’s program includes musical tributes to the Beatles, Nina Simone, Rod Stewart and Lady Gaga. There will be Broadway showstoppers, hit tunes, a country medley of Shania Twain and Garth Brooks tunes as well as classical hits and Christmas favourites.
Tickets are $49 adults, $41 students in Victoria and $40 adults, $33 students in Nanaimo. Showtimes 7 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square, Victoria and 3 p.m. Dec. 15 to 17 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12 to 16 at the Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo.
For more information, go to yellowpointchristmas spectacular.ca.
Now is Yule Comen — The Banquo Folk Ensemble is a multi-instrumental early music group that has been taking people back in time since 1998, playing the gap between early music and folk.
Their seasonal concert consists of early songs and tunes spanning eight centuries and three continents. They sing in English, Latin, French, Breton French and Gaelic. Their varied repertoire means the use of more than 20 instruments, including recorders, cittern, hurdy gurdies, shawm, vielle, several types of European smallpipes, crumhorn, mandolin, surpeti, dumbek, assorted percussion and more.
General admission is $20. The concert starts at 2 p.m. Sunday at Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell St. For more information, go to banquo.ca.
Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy Christmas Concert — The Naden band, made up of 35 professional musicians, is once again taking to the stage to entertain and get you into the holiday spirit — and raise funds for the Salvation Army Toy Drive.
Musical guest this year include vocalist Kristina Helene and pianist Thomas Kinzel, as well as a performance by members of the O’Brien School of Irish Dancing.
The festive musical program will include original works and holiday favourites for the entire family.
This is the 39th year of the seasonal event, which has grown from a simple evening recital for sailors’ families to three usually sold-out concerts at the Royal Theatre.
Members of the audience are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy on the night of the performance — but some have been known to bring bags filled with toys.
Every year, more than 800 local families in need make a trip to the Salvation Army Toy Shop at the Stan Hagen Centre for Families on Quadra Street to choose toys for their children.
Tickets are $10, plus an unwrapped toy on the night of the performance. The concert runs 7:30 to 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St. For more information, go to esquimalt mfrc.com/event/naden-bandchristmas-concert/2017-12-11.