The brilliance of brass will provide a glittering filigree of sound to Rejoice, this year’s holiday offering by Vancouver’s renowned Chor Leoni Men’s Choir on December 20 at West Vancouver United Church (7:30pm) and December at 21 St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, Vancouver (7:30pm.) This brightness of brass will be juxtaposed with the beautiful a cappella singing that is a trademark of “the singing lions” in a program that explores both the joyfulness and the quiet expectation of the season. “Spirited rhythms with brass and organ will lift the spirits while hushed a cappella singing brings memories of the wonder and miracle of Christmas,” explains Diane Loomer, Chor Leoni’s Artistic Director.

“Christmastime comes with a wonderful sense of heightened anticipation as well as a longing for the warmth and intimacy of Christmases past,” she states. “With Rejoicewe’ve designed a concert that we hope will meet those expectations.” A Touch of Brass, one of Vancouver’s premiere brass quintets, joins Chor Leoni for this concert and will be featured in works by Sweelinck, Sund, Zwozdesky, and Pinkham.

The centrepiece of Rejoice is Daniel Pinkham’s beloved Christmas Cantata, which was inspired by the multi-choir compositions of Baroque composers Giovanni Gabrielli and Heinrich Schütz and uses traditional Nativity texts. Pinkham uses brass choir, pipe organ, and men’s choir in a three-movement work that explores the mystery and delight of the Christmas story. The work is a favourite of choirs worldwide and Chor Leoni is excited to be performing the rarely heard version for men’s voices.

With expressions of joy alongside hushed harmonies and audience sing-along carols, Rejoice is an opportunity to enjoy a holiday concert just a few days before Christmas, and comes with this personal invitation from Diane, “Come Rejoice with us!”

Tuesday December 20, 2011 • 7:30 pm

West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Ave, West Vancouver
Wednesday December 21, 2011 • 7:30 pm
St. Andrews-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson St at Burrard, Vancouver
TICKETS: Adults $30 | Seniors $25 | Student (with valid ID) $15
Available through chorleoni.org or
by phone through Brown Paper Tickets 1.800.838.3006
info: 604.263.7061 chorleoni.org