The Elora Singers Create a Reimagined Christmas Festival

What involves 29 masks, 10-foot distancing circles, a crate of hand sanitizer and a LOT of love?  This year’s Christmas concert series, “A Nativity Festival”, presented online by The Elora Singers.

When we can’t be together, music can bring us closer. Guided by that belief, The Elora Singers have embraced the challenges of this year and are excited to present a reimagined concert season of inspirational and gorgeous choral music, in a year where the solace of music is needed more than ever.

Immerse yourself in The Elora Singers’ sound at home this holiday season as they present “A Nativity Festival” of three pre-recorded online concerts on December 5, 12, and 19 at 8:00 pm.

The Elora Singers’ Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen, curated this series of concerts over the past few months, featuring all new recordings, and managed to find a way to do it in-person. The management team, including Executive Director Laura Adlers and Choir Manager Christina Stelmacovich, found a space large enough to more than safely distance all the musicians, including a small chamber ensemble.

As you can see from these photos, The Elora Singers kept strict social distancing in performing.  They took great care to space everyone a minimum of 10 feet apart. Concerts were recorded in 45-minute segments, followed by distanced time outdoors.  Choir members were not allowed to socialize between takes and everyone present was required to wear masks the entire time, doing everything possible to keep each other safe during the recording sessions.

Safety was top of mind for The Elora Singers, not only for their participants, but they were also aware that any issues with these concert recordings could have adverse effects on other groups trying to do the same.

“We’re now well past the 14-day period following the first two recordings, with no symptoms amongst our participants. We’re very grateful to all the musicians and technicians for being so strict with these guidelines so that everyone was protected,” says Adlers.

The first program, “A Quiet Village”, offers reflective and sumptuous music for the season with The Elora Singers and harpist Julia Seager-Scott. Featuring music by Canadian composers Tawnie Olson and Marie-Claire Saindon, the concert also includes Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, arranged for mixed choir.

The following weekend’s concert will feature a performance of “A Village Messiah” – highlights from Handel’s glorious Messiah with soloists drawn from the choir, accompanied by members of the Festival Orchestra. A not-to-be-missed Elora tradition!

The online festival concludes with a holiday favorite in the village – “A Festival of Carols”.  Fill your living room with joyous Christmas music by The Elora Singers, and listen as Canadian celebrities share charming, nostalgic holiday-themed stories, read from their homes!

Why not share the joy of music and gift a pass to The Elora Singers’ Nativity Festival concerts this holiday season? It’s a thoughtful way to make these unusual holidays special for someone you care about.

Ticketholders will be sent a unique link for each concert, and may watch the concerts anytime and several times if they wish! The Nativity Festival concerts will be available to view from their launch dates until January 3.

And if you missed it, their November 14 concert, Hope & Refuge, featuring a program of music to stir the soul, is available to view through December 4.

Tickets for The Elora Singers’ 2020 Winter Season are on sale now at www.elorasingers.ca.

The Elora Singers look forward to presenting their Nativity Festival concerts to you wherever you call home – whether in the village of Elora, across Canada, or around the world!