ADVENT CHOIR CONCERTS ‘STUNNING MUSIC AND A LITTLE THEATRE’

Jack Cline, Special to MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — What started out 29 years ago as a simple Christmas celebration by an eager group of church choristers has emerged into one of the most anticipated concert series of the season.

In 1994 the Muskoka Advent Choir assembled in the Baptist Church here under the direction of former pastor George Johnston, a talented pianist and choir leader.

Today they are blessed to be under the direction of the very talented Linda Ellsworth.

With 60 singers from North Bay to Orillia, they tackle some of the most challenging pieces of any local choir.

And they do it with relatively little practice time, coming together in a matter of little more than a month of intense rehearsal time.

Often they receive the music and an online link to their part to study between weekly joint get-togethers to go over their parts at home.

The result is a stunning piece of music and a little theatre that can sometimes, sadly, be overlooked in the busy December schedule.

It’s a concert you shouldn’t miss, featuring some of the area’s best choralists.

This year hear the Christmas Story in a stirring compilation of songs entitled “We Sing Noel.”

The Muskoka Advent Choir series starts Sunday November 26, in Burks Falls at the Legacy Life centre.

It continues Friday, December 1, in Port Carling at the St. James The Apostle Anglican Church.

On Sunday December 3, they are here in Gravenhurst at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on John Street, behind the Opera House.

One week later, on Sunday December 10 they are in Huntsville at St Andrews Presbyterian Church.

Join them for an always memorable musical evening.