Past Performances
Video: Frank Antomsen
Photos: Kostas Zolotas
This Shining Night is the title for The Sooke Community Choir’s 2019 winter concert series. The concert is a stunning collection of beautiful and inspirational music that spans the ages from Mozart to Pentatonix. This winter will feature Silvina Samuels on cello, Jeff Poynter on soprano sax and Kathy Russell on the piano. If you enjoyed our Winter Heart concert last year, then you must come and hear This Shining Night. If you’re looking for a musical experience in December, then please attend our concert. You will leave This Shining Night restored.
The Spring 2019 show covered rhythmic modern pop music from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and Bruno Mars; an exciting, upbeat, toe-tapping show! The choir was joined by talented collaborative pianist Kathy Russell and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Poynter.
Winter Heart was a program full of beautiful, reflective music perfectly suited for the winter holiday season. Through a gentle blend of classical compositions and thoughtful arrangements of contemporary popular songs the audience was transported past the complexities and stresses of their daily routines. The subtle addition of cello, violin, piano and acoustic guitar made it an evening of music to remember.
The “HITS!” show slammed together fresh arrangements from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, with a distinctly popular flavour and rock band accompaniment. The concert included chart-toppers made popular by Toto, Adele, Ed Sheeran, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Radiohead, Pentatonix and Stevie Nicks as well as Michael Buble, Moses Hogan and Neil Diamond. Soloists, ensembles, costuming and venue décor enhanced the audience’s enjoyment. All in all, a fabulous and fun repertoire completely new and different.
A Classic Christmas included such beautiful works at Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Handel’s For Unto Us a Child is Born, Vittoria’s magical O Magnum Mysterium as well as stunning settings of classical compositions by John Rutter, Alice Parker and many other composers and arrangers. Musical accompaniment included Kathy Russell on the piano, Rachel Capon on cello and Hollas Longton on violin.
The Spirit Train was a concert of remarkable music celebrating train songs, African American spirituals and a few transcendent pieces by Woody Guthrie, The Beach Boys and Billy Joel just to keep it all choo chooin’ along. The fresh and deeply inspired arrangements sung by the Sooke Community Choir also included powerful piano accompaniments and a solo work performed by Kathy Russell.
The music of the Celts transported audiences to a period of time far from the present day. The concert was a gentle swirl of beautiful singing and images that sent people home with lovely, soft edged memories and a yearning to capture each special moment of Christmastime. Some of the selections included The Skye Boat Song, Enya’s Only Time, and Liam Lawton’s Canticle with hand bells.
The 1970’s are considered the most creative decade of popular music in the Western world, ever. For this concert the Sooke Community Choir created a showcase of brilliant music from the 70’s. Electric voices sung selections from The Beatles, The Eagles, Queen, ABBA, Neil Young, John Denver, Stephen Sondheim, Simon and Garfunkel and Carole King.
The choir’s Artistic Director, Bruce Ruddell, conducted the concert and he was joined by accompanist Kathy Russell. Special guests were Victoria musicians Al Sabourin on guitars, Steve Duben on bass and Malcolm Cooley on drums.
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