That Was Really Something!

As the Artistic Director of ARCS, it is sometimes difficult to be objective and unbiased about the quality of our program.  I am motivated today, however to tell you how immensely proud I am of our recent production "Something Christmas".  On the occasion of our 10th Anniversary, I couldn't be happier with where we've been and where we find ourselves today!

Sunday, December 11th at River Park Church was remarkable on many fronts.  Up2Christmas grew from a mixed choir of a handful of men and women eight years ago to its present status of 50 singers in an all women's choir.  Over the years, we have strived to build a strong program and to establish a "tradition" with an annual Christmas production.  Adding a second performance this year to accommodate a growing audience and the desire to also accommodate our performing choirs, we were surprised to learn that the afternoon performance was preferred to the evening.  And online ticket sales afforded a degree of efficiency and convenience that was well-received.

Not only were both performances of "Something Christmas" well-attended, but the production quality was outstanding.  Thanks to our new sound system and the expert mixing of Chris Daniels, our sound tech, the clarity of sound and balance with accompaniment tracks was exceptional.  Thanks to the work of the choirs in rehearsal, the blend, balance, diction and overall quality of choral sound was the best it's ever been.

Up2Something made a significant contribution to the "Something Christmas" production as well.  Despite being a slightly smaller choir than previous years, now numbering just shy of 60 singers, the hard work and diligence of the members of Up2Something really shone through.  The men's section has matured and developed into a very viable and strong section complementing the women's sections extremely well.

We were also fortunate to have Steve Olson as emcee this year.  As a professional broadcaster and instructor at SAIT, Steve was admittedly reluctant to participate in a "community choir" production.  His reservations quickly vanished, however, when he heard the combined choirs warm-up rehearsal of "O Holy Night".  The kudos he gave to the choirs was well-deserved.  The sound created by over 100 voices on this, one of the most loved of Christmas carols, was nothing short of heavenly.

Which brings me to my final point.  I believe in music as not a mundane activity which, through repetition and rehearsal can attain some degree of perfection -- but in music as a means to transcend our human experience and take us to a higher plane.  When the human voice combines with heart and soul, love and passion, meaning and purpose -- the result is a spiritual experience that cannot be attained outside of music.  We rose to that higher plane last Sunday and it was a thrill to behold.

I am so grateful to be part of creating music -- and magic -- with a devoted and exceptional group of men and women.  What a thrill to see our progress and to celebrate the power of the human voice to move us in deep and spiritual ways.  We are blessed to have the opportunity to build on this remarkable success, and to recognize that we are powerful beyond measure.