The Christmas Concert is the last event of 2008. It was a cold and blustery night, but the audience enjoyed a warm atmosphere. Here Concert Choir presents one of their songs.
Women's Choir, under the direction of Louella K. Friesen, presented a number of songs.
Chorale and Women's Choir completed a full weekend of performances, highlighted by 3 events.
On Friday, December 12 in the evening, the Women's Choir and Chorale presented an intimate and heartfelt program at Knox United Church in Saskatoon.
Women's Choir directed by Louella K. Friesen
Combined Chorale & Women's Choir directed by Richard Janzen
Chorale directed by Richard Janzen
Knox is a beautiful and glorious building both visually and acoustically. The concert at Knox is an annual highlight for the singers. A few of Louella K. Friesen's vocal students from RJC also sang a number of Christmas songs.
THE ANGEL CAROL by Mac Huff RJC Women's Choir Louella K. Friesen, director Nancy Epp, piano
On Saturday afternoon, the Chorale travelled back to Saskatoon for a special presentation at Willow Design Studio on 2nd Avenue.
Chorale in their "Hymn Sing" pose.
Willow is owned by RJC alumna Sandra Young (she is also the mother to current RJC student and Chorale member Miranda). At the studio, the Chorale sang numerous Christmas carols for the patrons there. At the same time, a silent auction of "Art Stars" came to a close.
Julia Epp proudly displays her Star.
The Art Stars were painted by RJC students and auctioned off as part of a fundraiser for the ministry at the school.
A frosty Sunday morning (-31C at depature time) saw the Women's Choir and Chorale joining forces again for the morning worship service at Tiefengrund Rosenort Mennonite Church (just north of Laird, SK). The church graciously fed the choir after the service.
The Chorale had to be out of bed bright and early on Sunday for the long trek to Superb, SK where they presented the Sunday morning service.
This map shows the distance and route to Superb, more than 3 hours in the school bus each direction.
The choir sang well (presenting 11 songs, a children's story, and a meditation by Dave Feick), was provided a splendid (might we say "superb"?) potluck meal and was back in Rosthern by 4:30 in the afternoon.
Two hours later, the choir was at Rosthern Mennonite Church for the local community carol festival, featuring music groups from many of the churches in town. The Chorale sang two numbers there: "My Dancing Day" and "River Carol".
"River Carol" by Kirby Shaw performance at the Rosthern Community Carol Festival Rosthern Mennonite Church, Sunday, December 7, 2008
Chorale is preparing for the Christmas Concert season. This Sunday they are in Superb for the morning service, and then sing at the local Rosthern Carol Festival in the evening.
A large area of Saskatchewan went black without electrical power an hour before the Saturday night performance began. Thanks to some quick thinking and adapting, the performance went off without a hitch. Running three utility lights off a 3000 Watt generator (which also powered lights for the piano and keyboard), the cast adapted to the conditions and presented a charmingly "old school" play. The sound effects were ad lib'd as the show demanded.
As you can see from the following video, the lighting was sufficient, and the audience came away satisfied with the end result.
Thank you to the many people who jumped in to help: Jim Epp, Gail Schellenberg, Carmen Pauls, Graeme Rinholm, Kathy Powell, Louis Perron (who opened the Home Hardware for us after hours to get the generator), Trevor Wilson (an electrician and uncle to one of the actors who came to see the show. He had a spare generator in his truck and helped us rig it up.) I am sure there are more. THANK YOU!
The power came back on in the early morning Sunday...
Jennifer "burned" her face, Danika "broke" her nose, and Rachel "lost" a tooth and "impaled" her hand with a pencil.
Sarah and Aleta applied a fantasy theme to their faces, Angie did a clown theme, and Heidi re-created a classic 1930's hollywood jazz-style.
Various arm wounds: burns, cuts and impalements.
Applying petroleum jelly, tissue paper, and liquid latex to achieve various effects.
The students took turns applying the make-up to each other.
