It’s beginning to look — and sound — a lot like Christmas.
The Stonewall United Church choir will be setting a holly, jolly mood with its upcoming Christmas Cantata on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15.
“The United Church Choir sends out an invitation to the community to come and sing with us for our annual Christmas Cantata,” said director Cathy Horbas.
“This year, we have 14 people who have joined with our regular choir members to share their joy of singing and sharing the news of Christmas through music. It is a wonderful way to meet new people and build relationships through music-making.”
This year’s show is called “Let the Whole World Sing.”
“It is a traditional telling of the Christmas story with some great contemporary music. The Cantata will be the second half of each performance,” she said.
“As usual, we will have a live band accompanying the singers with our talented musicians Pat Claeys, Don Horbas and Keith Lowden. This year’s performance will be narrated by Catie Peterson and Leanne Benson.”
Attendees might notice a little different format than in the past since some special guests will be included in the excitement.
“On Saturday, Dec 14, our special guest will be the wonderful Stonewall Quarry Choristers, who will be sharing their travelling Christmas program. The Choristers do four to six Christmas concerts each season, travelling to communities in the Interlake. This year they will sing in Teulon, Warren, Argyle and Stonewall,” Horbas said.
“On Sunday, our guests will be Apple Fire, a really fun group of young men who will share their great renditions of secular Christmas tunes. Their lead singer, Justin Van Alpen, lives in Argyle and has an amazing voice. Each show will end with a combination of the two groups finishing off the performance in some combined singing.”
The annual Christmas Cantata serves as a major fundraiser for Stonewall United Church. The funds raised support the church’s music ministry and outreach.
The show starts at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14. Then on Dec. 15, there are shows at both 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at the church office or by calling 204-467-5469. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids aged 10 and under.
