A new Kimberley tradition was born this past weekend with the first-annual Christmas Community Concert, featuring jazz ensemble Take Four and the Kimberley Community Choir, taking place at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on December 1 and 2.
The first half of the sold-out concert featured the Kimberley Community Choir, whose names are listed in full below. Directed by Marta Zeegers and accompanied by Tim Plait of Take Four on piano, the light-hearted performance began with a medley entitled “Joyful Noel”, followed by a song called “Walking in the Air” from the film “The Snowman.”
Next, eight-and-a-half-year-old Arabella Britten, took to the stage for to solo “It’s Christmastime,” by Donna Rhodenizer. After recently performing on stage with Shania Twain at the Saddledome in Calgary, Britten is quickly building up quite the singing resume.
Following an intermission resplendent with a metric tonne of Christmas baking, Take Four took over, playing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”.
Marchi then invited his wife Shinobu Murata to the stage and the two played beautiful renditions of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Joy to the World” as a duet on trumpets.
Presbyterian Church Singers Tina, Jane and Ellen sang a lovely version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” before Take Four closed out the concert, asking the crowd to join in on four Christmas Classics, ending on Elvis Presley’s “I Believe.”
The Kimberley Community Choir features:
Aaron, Allison, Anita, Carol, Cindy, Colin, Dee, Ellen, Erika, Esther, Gina, Heather, Helen C., Helen R., Ilene, Joan, Kathleen, Kathy, KC, Kirsten, Krista, Leanne, Leslie, Mac, Melanie, Nieva, Rand, Ruth, Sandy, Sioban, Stacey, Tina, Vernoica and Virginia.