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Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra to bring Christmas tunes to Ponoka and Red Deer

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The Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra is bringing 'Rudolph Meets Holiday Tradition!' to Ponoka and Red Deer next month. (File photo)

There will be a delightful mix of Christmas carols and classical selections along with tunes from the classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer TV special during the Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra's upcoming concert in Ponoka.

'Rudolph Meets Holiday Tradition' runs Dec. 14 at the Ponoka United Church starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available from the church office (403-783-4087) or by heading to www.kfatheatre.com. The concert also runs the night before (Dec. 13) in Red Deer at the Church of the Good Shepherd, starting at 7 p.m. (tickets are available through Eventbrite, or at the door).

Led by Dr. Jim Bicigo, the concerts will also feature the Red Deer Chamber Singers under the direction of Sharon Braun.

"The first half is traditional Christmas music, and the second half is the music from and story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer from the TV special - which is 60 years old this year," said Bicigo. 

Highlights from the concert's first half include Angels From the Realms of Glory (Patrick Russell), Christmas Oratorio (JS Bach), and Aria: Close to my Heart, this Blessed Wonder performed by Braun with Eduardo Sola on violin.

Other selections include the Shepherd’s Pipe Carol and Jesus Child (John Rutter) performed by the Central Alberta Chamber Singers, Hanukkah O Hanukkah (arranged by Bicigo) featuring a trumpet solo by Steve Sherman, and Polonaise from Christmas Eve (P.I. Tchaikovsky).

After intermission, things kicks off with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (with a Red Deer Twist) by Johnny Marks (arranged by Bicigo).

"We will be performing all of the songs from the TV show, and Danica Hoffart will be narrating for us," he explained.

"She and Sharon will be singing, and the Red Deer Chamber Singers will be singing with us as well. 

Music from the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer special will continue with Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Jingle Jingle Jingle, There’s Always Tomorrow, We Are Santa’s Elves, We’re a Couple of Misfits, Silver and Gold, The Most Wonderful Day of the Year, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

"it's a family show, and it's a lot of fun," said Bicigo. "It gets you ready for the holidays."

The Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra's Christmas shows are becoming something of a tradition in the region, as they started off two years ago with a show featuring the story of and music from The Grinch.

"And then we did A Charlie Brown Christmas last year. So we are continuing that tradition of telling a story at Christmas, and doing the music from the TV specials that go with them. We also do the classical material as well.

"I just love Christmas - it's my favourite time of the year. And there is no shortage of good Christmas music - that is for sure! So we try to make our shows different every year, but make sure they also include the songs people love, too.

"Christmas music is always uplifting. it's joyful, and it is something that really lifts your spirits."

Besides performing and teaching, Bicigo also really enjoys the process of arranging music, which in essence is interpreting a given piece for the orchestra.

Bicigo, who plays trombone, originally hails from Marquette, Michigan, where he received all of his music education as well. He then landed a job teaching at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks in 1998.

It was in Alaska he met and married fellow musician Karen Gustafson.

They later settled in Red Deer and have kept busy over the past few years with teaching around the region, including becoming contract faculty at Burman University in Lacombe.

These days, Bicigo is keeping very busy, still teaching at Burman while also having taken on a stint with G.H. Dawe School in Red Deer.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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