This Christmas, they Seraphim Vocal Ensemble is taking you on a journey through centuries of Christmas music.
Songs for Yuletide starts with candlelight accompanying the music of eleventh-century composer Hildegard von Bingen, then travels down the centuries featuring early English and French carols, ending with traditional favourites and a sing-along.
Seraphim Vocal Ensemble was started by Tracey Fehr and Penticton resident Heather Allen, who from a young age, loved early music. Allen states,
“It’s beautiful music, but can be challenging. It requires the technical skill of a soloist, but you have to meld your solo melody perfectly with the other voices. You can’t be a diva to excel at this music,” said Allen.
Sopranos Fehr and Allen are joined in the four-voice ensemble by Derek Beaton, singing bass, and Jay Demetrick, singing countertenor and tenor. Seraphim will be joined by youth soloist Kiara Louw, flautist Nicole Handford and Bob Park on guitar and lute.
Partial proceeds from the evening go to the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.
“We really wanted to sing a piece by Hildegard von Bingen because she is a powerful figure from long ago,” said Fehr. “She’s an inspiration to any woman who faces adversity and needs strength to overcome it.”
Allen describes von Bingen’s music as haunting and beautiful and hopes the candlelight adds a dimension to the concert.
“We hope the audience is transported back 1000 years,” said Allen.
The concert takes place on Dec. 15 in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1370 Church St. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and youth, on sale at the Book Shop (242 Main St.) and at the door.
For more information contact Fehr at tfehr@tracyfehr.com or 250-486-5073.