ELK POINT – Elk Point Community Choir continued their annual tradition on Friday evening with the École du Sommet high school band joining them to present a wide array of songs of the season.
Choir president Don Conrad introduced conductor Udo Mueller, pianist Christa Chinard and page turner Lily Taylor before the choir launched into their signature opening number, ‘Just Let Me Sing’, following that up with ‘Born ‘Neath a Star’ and the a capella ‘Look-a That Star’, featuring solos by Sherry Oszust and Lawrence Pidluzny. They continued their first set with ‘A Joyful Mozart Canon’. ‘A Festival Madrigal’ and the festive medley that makes up “Christmas in About Three Minutes’.
A special moment came midway through the program, as Conrad called Heather Bjornstad, representing Elk Point Helping Hands, forward to accept $860 in donations collected at the door in lieu of an admission charge, to be added to that organization’s funds to help Elk Point and county residents in financial straits with supplies of groceries and toiletries. “You are all our heroes,” Bjornstad told the crowd.
École du Sommet music teacher Kelsey Taylor and her brand-new senior high band opened the second half of the program, with Community Choir director Mueller picking up his horn to join in. The band is “new to our school,” Taylor said. “Several students wanted this option and petitioned the school to make it happen.” This first concert, where they played a lineup of Christmas favourites, showed the success of their decision and determination.
Then the Community Choir was back, with ‘Angels in the Snow’, ‘Calypso Lullaby’ with Dixie Coleman and Mueller providing percussion, ‘A La Puerta Cielo’ with solos by Danni McArthur, Solene Béland and Dixie Coleman, and ‘Walk in the Light’ with soloist Kelsey Taylor.
Mueller has been part of the choir throughout its 30 years, and was happy to see new talent in the form of the École due Sommet band taking part, thanking the young musicians “for sharing your talent with us.” He also had thanks for Don Conrad and his executive, who “keep things moving smoothly behind the scenes,” and to Christa Chinard, who “stepped in on short notice to accompany us.” At the end of a busy season for the choir, he asked all present to “among the hubbub remember to sit back in contemplation of the real reason for the season.” In closing, he invited former members of the choir to join today’s members on stage to wind up this year’s concert with ‘Amazing Grace.'
