Let it Shine: Two choirs, one big beautiful concert
By Contributor
Choir directors Kathleen Neudorf (Nelson Choral Singers) and Noémi Kiss (Cottonwood Singers) join forces to create one big beautiful choral celebration: “Let It Shine.”
Two local choirs, some 75 singers, a jazz trio, and a whole lot of joyful sound.
Performances are Saturday December 9th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday December 10th at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in Nelson.
Tickets are available from the Capitol Theatre box office or online, $22 for adults and $17 for those 12 and under.
Through different musical forms and styles, the concert embraces joy, hopefulness, and celebration.
Nelson Choral Singers, accompanied by Christoph Martens on piano, are highlighting works by Karl Jenkins. His evocative pieces combine the classical with flavours of world and ethnic music.
“He invents text and treats the voice like an instrument, allowing the listener to create their own meaning and storylines,” says Neudorf.
Jenkins’s music may be hard to classify but it’s wonderful to listen to, which explains why he is one of the most-often performed living composers.
“O Sanctissima”, by another contemporary composer Paul Mealor, draws on sacred forms of music and text. Sung by both choirs together, it is full of big beautiful harmonies creating a rich tapestry of sound.
Cottonwood Singers’ set includes a couple of a capella pieces rooted in spiritual traditional music, followed by great gospel numbers. The choir is bringing along some of Nelson’s finest jazz musicians: David Restivo on piano, Rob Fahie on bass, Stephen Parish on drums and vocal soloist Aryn Sheriff.
“The music is full of joy and love, rich in rhythm, and will make you want to move, dance and clap, warming your heart and soul in the darkest time of the year,” says Kiss.
