Preparations are now underway for a major Christmas event coming to the Dekker Centre.
It is the second annual Candlelight Processional, scheduled for Nov. 25 and 26 at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, North Battleford. The plan is to hold the first show at 7 p.m. Nov. 25, and then a second show the following afternoon at 2 p.m.
The performance is intended to celebrate the “true meaning of Chrismas – the thrilling story of the birth of Jesus Christ put to music and narration.”
Wednesday night, Nov. 1 was the beginning of the weekly rehearsals for the concert. The rehearsal was held at the North Battleford Comprehensive High School.
A large group of over 100 volunteers have signed up to sing in the choir. A main chore on that first night was finding out what size of gown each one needed so those could be ordered in for the show.
After going through the storyboard, the singers were divided into four groups: tenors, baritones, sopranos and altos. Those four groups practiced separately, and then reassembled for a full practice later on.
The intention is to have four full nights of practices every Wednesday and then a full dress rehearsal before they perform in front of a live audience at the Dekker Centre.
The show is spearheaded by Paul and Pauline Sayers who had come up with the idea for the Candlelight Processional. They teamed up with Peg Gilchrist and Kaelee Forgrave last year to launch the show and they are back again this year.
In speaking to the News-Optimist, Paul says there will be a few surprises in store for those attending this year’s show compared to last year.
“We’ve rewritten the first part of the story board,” said Sayers. This year, the theme will particularly focus on “the future King.”
He also promises some brand-new music, which includes some Celtic Thunder and some Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and even some Leonard Cohen. Jim Ramsay with the bagpipes will be performing Amazing Grace as well.
This year the choir is under the direction of Gene Aulinger, who is well known in the community for his work with the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band and as a music instructor.
“His reputation precedes him,” said Sayers. “There isn’t a person here tonight who knows Gene who has a bad thing to say about him.”
Last year the choir was under the direction of Annette Duhaime, who Sayers credits for launching the successful event last year.
All net proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, which will go to the cardiac unit.
Tickets are for sale at www.dekkercentre.com. For more information, contact Paul at 306-441-9157.
