Elementary school choirs to share stage with symphony

For families and friends, it’s five choirs for the price of one. For children, the seasonal concerts offer a unique opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians.

Today and Thursday, the four brief concerts will also heighten the excitement of Christmas for elementary school children in Lethbridge and area. About 20 school choirs will share the stage at Southminster United Church with members of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra.

“We’ve been counting down the days waiting for ‘Kids Choir,’ just like we have the days until Christmas,” says Melanie Gattiker, the symphony society’s executive director.

“The musicians love making music with such an enthusiastic group of performers and the sound of children’s voices brings such warmth in these cold winter months.

“And it’s always a treat to witness the wonder and curiosity of the many kids who are encountering the instruments of an orchestra for the first time.”

Each concert — at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. each day — will feature five different choirs. Gattiker says the symphony organization’s orchestrators have been busy recreating the young choirs’ piano accompaniments as scores for chamber musicians.

She says the 18th edition of “Kids Choir” will conclude, as always, with all choirs singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Tickets ($6) for each concert are being handled online at www.lethbridgesymphony.org but not at the door, Gattiker says. Babies under two will be admitted free, but parents must obtain a no-charge ticket for each one online.

Adding to the festive season, she says, the symphony will join dancers and a children’s chorus for four University Theatre performances of “The Nutcracker.” They’re scheduled for 3 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16, then 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17, with tickets available online.

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