Members of the Southeast Chorus and the Northwest Chorus and Orchestra have been preparing for their upcoming celebration of Christmas music.
The 45th annual program will feature two concerts in early December. The first will happen in Estevan on Dec. 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church, starting at 7 p.m. The other will be the following day at Concordia Lutheran Church in Crosby, N.D., at 4 p.m.
This year’s theme is He is Born.
Rehearsals have been happening every Tuesday night for the last two months. Members of the Southeast Chorus travel from Estevan and surrounding communities to Crosby, so they can meet up with their Northwest Chorus counterparts and work on the songs.
Southeast Chorus president Andrea Leatherdale said the rehearsals have been going well.
“The music is sounding excellent,” said Leatherdale. “It's a very fun program this year.”
Approximately 40 singers are part of the choir, and more than half of the musicians are from southeast Saskatchewan. Leatherdale noted they have some new musicians in the choir this year.
Instrumentalists will also be part of the concert. Leatherdale said the audiences can look forward to hearing piano accompanists, a couple of flute players and a brass ensemble, among others. North Dakota residents Harlan Johnson and Ed Retzer will once again share the director duties this year. They will alternate directing throughout the night.
Leatherdale said there will be about 20 selections of Christmas music during the program, and she predicts everyone will enjoy the music.
Just like in previous years, the first half will feature some serious but uplifting pieces, and the second half will include more fun and upbeat selections.
“We're fine-tuning all of our pieces with the dynamics and the little spots that need to be worked on,” said Leatherdale. “We're down to our last two practices.”
