Exciting New Concerts from The Elora Singers Premiering In December

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.  

As we face the end of 2020, with live performances still so far off, there are some wonderful new developments in the music world.

The Grammy and JUNO-nominated professional choir, The Elora Singers, has just finished recording the last of three new concerts for their annual Christmas performances — this year presented as “A Nativity Festival”.  This reimagined concert season provides inspirational and gorgeous choral music in a year where the solace of music is needed more than ever.

It was important to Artistic Director Mark Vuorinen to present new recordings and to find a way of capturing the magic of performing live, rather than simply by video.  After hours of discussion with the management team, including Executive Director Laura Adlers and Choir Manager Christina Stelmacovich, they found a space large enough to more than safely distance all the musicians, including a small chamber ensemble.

The concerts were recorded over a period of six weeks and followed very strict safety precautions.  Musicians were distanced 10 feet apart and all concerts were performed while wearing masks. Recording sessions and rehearsals were done in 45-minute segments, with all participants taking breaks for fresh air in between. Choir members maintained social distancing 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.

After the first recording, the choir paused for a 14-day period.  Once all participants passed this time period without any potential COVID-19 symptoms, they proceeded with the next recording.

The first program of the Festival, “A Quiet Village” premieres on December 5, offering 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, and Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, the concert also includes Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, arranged for mixed choir.

On December 12, The Elora Singers presents “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 on December 19 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!

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.

Why not share the joy of music and give the gift of 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.

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!