Community Bands to perform at Mayor’s Christmas Concert

GUEST PERFORMERS MAGRATH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHOIR WILL JOIN COMMUNITY GOLD AND SILVER BANDS

After a quarter-century, it’s certainly a Lethbridge tradition.

The Mayor’s Christmas Concert will salute the season Saturday night in Southminster United Church.

Both of the Lethbridge Community Band Society’s ensembles are ready to share some of their Christmas favourites, as usual. And all attending are invited to bring a cash or food donation to local food banks.

This year’s guest performers are members of the Magrath Elementary School Choir, directed by Josh Sherwood and Donna Jean Wilde. Mayor Chris Spearman will welcome concert-goers, and John Poulsen will be master of ceremonies.

Community band spokesperson Karen van de Vendel — who plays in both ensembles — says the evening’s program will also include several selections the bands are preparing for a concert tour of Scotland next July.

Seasonal music by the Silver Band, conducted by Samuel Yamamoto, will open the evening. They’ll include “Angels We Have Heard on High,” an Alpine holiday overture and a medley of French carols.

“Tamara Tu,” a carol with Maori roots, will be one of the school choir’s songs.

And the Gold Band, directed by Mark Ward, will present familiar seasonal music including “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” as well as some Russian-flavoured carols.

Its touring selection is “Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonny Doon,” a setting to the poem by Robert Burns.

Concluding the celebration, the choir and both bands will return to the stage to lead the audience in familiar carols.

Tickets for the 7 p.m., event are available at Casa, or online at www.lcbs.ca with any remaining available at the door. They’re priced at $15, with children 12 and under admitted free.