Beautiful music at the 2013 Pincher Creek Community Carol Festival

Pincher Creek Community Choir and Matthew Halton / F.P. Walshe Band
T. Lucas photos and video

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

The 53rd Annual Community Carol Festival was held in the Pincher Creek Community Hall on the evening of December 8. The number of people in attendance was lower than usual, probably due to the severe weather conditions in the area.

M. C. Reverend Betty Vaughn

Reverend Betty Vaughn was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. She thanked the guests and performers alike for coming out. Vaughn directed everyone's attention to the last page of the program where everyone was thanked for their involvement. The list included the Festival Committee, Matthew Halton High School, Canyon School, Group Group Youth, and Foothills Community Church. Vaughn sent out a special thank you to Shell Canada, who has been a long term sponsor of the event. She introduced the Director of the Mass Choir, Diane Smith and Accompanist Betty Carlson. The evening's music and stories was supplied by individuals, groups, bands, choirs, and the audience was invited to sing along for selected carols. It was a night of beautiful music for those that braved the harsh weather.

Conductor Ric Bullock with some of the combined high school band

The evening started out with Ric Bullock directing the combined Matthew Halton/F.P. Walshe Band. These youths from grade 10 to grade 12 performed 'Cantique De Noel', 'Divinum Mysterium', and music from 'Messiah', and 'Eire'.

Rocky Mountain Fiddlers

Shianne Neumann and James Lowry recited 'The Story of Christmas'. Director Kathy Brown led the Canyon School Children's Choir who sang 'Where Can We Find Peace' and 'Up on the Housetop' beautifully and with great enthusiasm to the accompaniment of Diane Reed. The Rocky Mountain Fiddlers played 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' and a bright piece called 'Merry Christmas Polka'.

Director Kathy Brown with the Canyon School Children's Choir

The two soloists of the evening were Amelia Woodard who sang 'Sometimes Christmas' to the accompaniment of her mother Sally Woodard, and Lisa Denie who performed 'I Wonder as I Wander', accompanied by Kathy Brown. Both of these young ladies had lovely strong voices that were a joy to listen to.

Pincher Creek Community Choir

The Community Choir performed 'Wake the World With Joy', 'Breath of Joy', and 'Agnus Dei'. They also led the audience in the singing of 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing', 'Joy to the World', and 'The First Noel'. The evening's program ended with the song 'Silent Night' performed by the choir for the first verse, with the audience accompanying them for the next two verses. All the songs that were designated for audience participation had the words in the program, making it easy to sing along.

The proceeds of the evening will go to Group Group Youth Drop-in Centre.