TODAY THE ELDERBERRIES BEAT THE SNOW … WITH AN ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON REFRAIN OF ‘OH! SNOW’

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — And the snow fell ….

While the Elderberries were performing their postponed Christmas concert due to “Snowmageddon,” an afternoon that began with a full house audience walking inside under sunshine ended an hour later with a dusty flurry of snow in the air.

At least the snow waited until they had sung the last notes of another of their enjoyable Sunday afternoon concerts.

Nothing compared to almost two months ago, which had some nervous choir members worriedly watching weather forecasts daily.

This afternoon “Oh snow!” was an oft heard and repeated refrain.

Also the apt name of the concert.

The choir that couldn’t be stopped. That’s the Elderberries who survived ‘Snowmageddon’ to perform today at Trinity United Church to a full house with a dozen as usual lovely pieces of choral music. Photos Mark Clairmont

But it couldn’t stop the 31 singers accompanied by pianist Carolyn Grant and directed by Louise Jardine from returning the Trinity United Church for a command performance.

Even if it was one concert shy of their annual end of year offering and truncated to a dozen songs with a tree-trimming of a few holiday favourites.

The show-stopping “Let It Snow” tune was filled with several funny references to last year’s showstopper.

The 50 minutes of singing began with “Somewhere in My Memory” and included “When Christmas Comes,” “Christmas Canon of Peace,” “On the Roof” and “Slow Dancing in the Snow.”

A nice touch was “Walking in the Air,” a piece dedicated to former Elderberry Joan Verhey who died last year and made available by her daughter and former member Valerie who bought the piece for them to sing and who joined in on the final encore number.

Former choir member Valerie Verhey donated the music for “Walking in the Air,” in memory of her mother who was an Elderberry and died last year.

Before it “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” there was some light fare with “A Marshmallow World” and “Hot Chocolate!” — which afterwards included a complimentary handout bag with samples of each.

As is their custom, they ended with a touching for the time rendition of “Go Now in Peace.”

And so out into the snow it was for the Elderberries and their fans with a smile on their faces and snow on their boots.

High notes, above, and low notes, below, were a belated Christmas present to their faithful choral fans.

Diane Harrop and former member Gail Park, right, joined in on the final number of “Go Now in Peace” to wrap up a truncated tree-trimmed concert.

Minister Carol-Ann Chapmans was front row to see and hear her favourite choir, which practises Tuesday at Trinity church.
Judy Inns and her sister Barb Brubacher, big fans of the Elderberries, thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon’s performance.
A cool treat for coming out today was a free packet of hot chocolate and marshmallows decorated on the outside with a cute face, buttons and arms.

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