Canadian pride has been a prominent theme in 2025, and Salt Spring Singers choir members are amplifying it for this year’s holiday concert.
Directed by Deb Smith, audiences can enjoy A Canadian Christmas at All Saints by-the-Sea on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m., featuring music by Canadian composers and arrangers.
Selections range from the poignant “River” by Joni Mitchell to the joyful “Now the Bells Ring” by Rita MacNeil and the rollicking “Down on Christmas” by Stompin’ Tom Connors.
“I love all the songs on the program,” said Smith, “but I think the choir shares my fondness for the beautiful ‘We Are Stars’ by Kenley Kristofferson, and ‘Iesous Ahatonnia,’ a sensitive re-writing of the ‘Huron Carol’ by Sarah Quartel and the Wendat poet Andrée Levesque Sioui.”
The group is also thrilled that Simon Millerd will be joining the choir with his trumpet on “The Angel Choir and the Trumpeter” by Chris Dedrick and “Ding, Dong, Merrily On High,” arranged by Howard Cable. James Yi is the choir’s accompanist.
Like most Singers’ holiday season concerts, some participation is encouraged.
“The audience will be enthusiastically invited to join us on the ‘12 Days of Salt Spring Christmas,’ collectively written by the choir, and to stomp along with ‘Down With Christmas,’” said Smith.
A soprano with the choir with ample directing experience, Smith took on leading the choir for the December concert, following the retirement of longtime director Don Conley in the spring, which gave the search committee more time to find the perfect replacement.
“This allowed the choir to hire Adam Dyjach as our new director starting in January. Adam will be an outstanding director and I am looking forward to the new season.”
Smith is well-known for playing double bass in island ensembles, and played her instrument with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra for 21 years. During her music teaching career, she led award-winning concert choirs, swing choirs, concert bands and jazz bands, and has filled in as substitute director for the Singers in the past.
She said it has been a privilege to direct the group for the upcoming two concerts.
“They are an accomplished, friendly, lovely group of singers who have been an absolute joy to work with. They have been open to all sorts of new ideas and frivolities that will make this concert special. It truly has been a gift to step out of the soprano section and lead this season.”
Tickets for the shows are available in advance through ArtSpring or at the door, if available.