What does one reminisce about at Christmas time? It’s a question that easily opens the door to a massive flux of responses. And what does a choir offer to an audience when it entitles its annual Christmas concert “Reminiscing”? At the very least, enlisting a title such as this means having your work cut out for you. But the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir was quite successful at accomplishing a well thought out balance of seasonal recollections. From traditional and contemporary pieces to biblical insight, social issues and of course a few slices of humor this was a concert that presented well.

As with each concert that this organization presents, there is always an element of something new that raises the caliber of the show from any of their previous performances. Almost immediately, there were several subtle elements which were noticeable. New lighting gave a warmer more professional ambience. The wider placement and more fluid movement of the Senior boys and Men of Note on the stage during the first selection made a more noticeable presence. The use of a professional writer who weaved thematical elements throughout the show resulted in a more robust and satisfying concert experience. Along with the choir’s pianists who are always incredible, the incorporation of dual violin, dual cello, harp, flute and additional guest instrumentalists were elements that increased the caliber of the performance.

But it was the singing . . .it is always the singing that continues to define the Boys’ Choir as a team who pursues and accomplishes vocal and acoustical marvels.

This was the first performance for twelve Prepatory boys who are to be congratulated on having good pitch, great concentration on their conductor and a wonderfully executed cutoff on the end of “Snowy Flakes”. Very fine for their premier presentation.

The Junior boys were endearing to say the least. They shone during their performance of “Estrella Brillante” showcasing great breath longevity and agility on the sung “alleluia”. One of their highlights was the performance of “When I Was Young”: a retrospect of thirty, cocoa drinking 10 year olds reminiscing about Christmases of past, all in flawless unison. “I remember when I had to walk all the way to the car, to drive to school . . . . “.

Remarkable and memorable!

The Seniors and Men of Note were at the top of their game in this concert and one couldn’t help but melt into acoustical euphoria as they sang “In the Bleak Midwinter”. The Seniors continue to produce great pitch and blending while they perform repertoire that gives them some very noteworthy skill under their belt such as the Chichester Psalms by Bernstein. The Men of Note have become a sort of “pièce de résistance” and one always wonders what they are bringing to the concert each time they step up on stage. In “Repleti Sunt Omnes”, a traditional chant arranged for the choir by Trent Worthington, the soloists and men took vocal and emotional ownership of the piece and wore it like a glove. The lady sitting beside me put it best when she simply uttered “Wow”. The ability of these men and of the Director in successfully carrying out the melodic and harmonic elements of Caccini and Liebergen’s Ave Maria were very apparent and appreciated. The Blue Christmas skit and song was nothing short of marvelous in humor, nostalgia and solo talent.

As is tradition in the annual Christmas show, the concert closes with a congregational sing-a-long followed by the “Dads” joining their sons on stage for a final number. After

10 years of training her “dads” for their Christmas appearances, Director Jeannie Pernal was thrilled to be able to enlist their now “qualified and experienced” capabilities to perform the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. And what a finale it was! A concert to remember; to Reminisce”.

Concert review by Mary-Ann Lynch