The Coast Messiah Choir was sidelined by snowy weather for their first concert in December, but they pulled together to mount a stirring performance on Jan. 6, Epiphany in the Christian church calendar.
Joy McLeod, director of the choir, was also sidelined for this concert when she was taken to hospital before the performance. Janice Brunson, conductor for several Coast choirs, stepped in to lead.
The mostly amateur choir knew their role and the audience helped by singing rousing carols to open the performance.
Two off-Coast guest soloists, Clinton Stoffberg and Kamyar Pazandeh, were outstanding as they sang their segment in Handel’s Messiah, Part I. Other soloists rose to the occasion: Brittany Liska, Paula Seward, Pamela Wood and Brianna Cerkiewicz.
They were helped immensely by a professional string ensemble of Kathleen Hovey, Michelle Bruce, Genevieve MacKay and Sarah Poon.
David Poon demonstrated his expertise on three keyboards: organ, piano and harpsichord.
New choristers are welcome and rehearsals for the spring season start this Saturday, Jan. 14. The choir rehearses Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. John’s United Church. Email coastmessiahchoir@gmail.com for more information.
