Craig Bay Choristers, under the direction of Lonnie Moddle and accompanied by Carl McLuhan at the piano, will present their choral concert Christmas is Coming Friday at 7 p.m. at Knox United Church.
The group will be backed by its own muscians for this show of seasonal favourites.
Moddle joined the Choristers this year and has breathed new life into the 60-voice choir from Craig Bay. She grew up in Burnaby, B.C.; received her teaching certificate from SFU, and a post-graduate Diploma in Kodaly Music Education from the University of Calgary. She retired from 32 years of teaching, mostly as an Elementary Music Specialist, in 2011. She has also been a church Music Director for over 30 years.
Moddle is a member of A Cappella Plus Chamber Choir and Island Bel Canto Singers. Last year, she experienced her first foray into directing secular music as the temporary director for Village Voices of Qualicum, and this year is thoroughly enjoying working with her new Craig Bay friends.
For those unable to make it to Friday’s performance, the Choristers are planning two free afternoon shows featuring some of the music from the main concert, as well as sing-along carols for seniors who reside in local care facilities. As part of their ongoing community outreach, Craig Bay Choristers are supporters of Oceanside Hospice.
The Choristers’ Christmas concert has become a “must see” event in Parksville and is often standing room only.
Tickets for Friday’s performance are $10 each and are available from Knox United Church office, 250-248-3927, and through Chorister members.
— Submitted by Craig Bay Choristers