It’s time again to ring in the festive season with holiday tunes performed by Arcady.
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Christmas with Arcady will be held Dec. 2 at St. Andrew’s United Church in Brantford, offering a blend of beloved Christmas songs and new works from local musicians. Among them are Winter Song by Emma Theresa Verdonk of Brantford; Angels We Have Heard on High arranged by Shawn Oakes of Vittoria; and In the Beginning by John VanMaanen of Simcoe.
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The audience will also be treated to a new work by emerging composer Benjamin Gabbay of Toronto, and Charles Demuynck of Oakville, a conductor and composer whose music has been performed in Canada and the United States.
Arcady is a Brantford-based musical ensemble founded in 1998 by composer and artistic director Ronald Beckett. It serves as an arts training organization that combines professional singers and instrumentalists from southwestern Ontario with emerging artists and youth in rehearsal and performance.
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“Arcady was established in order to encourage outstanding young musicians by providing them a bridge between their student and professional performing careers,” said Arcady spokesperson Emma Verdonk.
Christmas With Arcady will include Beckett’s works, among them There’s a Song in the Air, Our Lady’s Song, and Snowflakes Fall Softly, along with two new pieces.
“Patrons will also be treated to beloved Christmas pieces, such as Joy to the World, In Dulci Jubilo and Stille Nacht,” said Verdonk.
The troupe of professional musicians includes David Rehner (violin), Paul Earle (violin) and John Wiebe (viola). Soloists include Brantford rising star Julia Surrette, along with Roanna Kitchen and Michaela Chiste.
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“The energy and charm of the Arcady Youth Sings will add glitter to the performance as they will be featured in both new and well-loved pieces,” said Verdonk.
Tickets are $30 for general admission and $12 for those under 18. They are available at arcady.ca/buy-tickets/christmas-with-arcady or by calling 519-428-3185.
In honor of its 25th anniversary, Arcady is also offering a performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Lighthouse Festival Theater in Port Dover on Dec. 22 at 7:30 pm
“Attending an annual performance of Messiah every Christmas season is a tradition for so many music lovers,” said Verdonk. “And Arcady’s exuberant rendition has established itself as a favorite.”
The solos in Messiah will be shared among the chorus members. The concert will feature emerging artist Marcel van Helden. Leading the ensemble will be veteran Messiah performer Paul Earle.
Beckett, whose catalog of compositions includes three operas, large-scale works for orchestra and chorus, an abundance of chamber music and pieces for organ, choral music for the Arcady Youth Singers, and a large collection of songs for solo voice, will lead the Messiah performance.
Tickets are $40 and available online at lighthousetheatre.com/events/ or by calling the box office at 1-888-779-7703.
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