There is perhaps nothing that evokes the spirit of the Christmas season more than the music. From Jingle Bells and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree to more traditional songs like Silent Night and Joy to the World, everyone knows Christmas is just around the bend when they hear those classic tunes.
Hoping to bring some of that Christmas joy into people’s lives, Koinonia Christian Fellowship in Bloomingdale is putting on their annual Christmas in Concert series over the weekend.
Running for its ninth year now, the concert kicks off Friday evening with a paid show, followed by four more free performances on Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s our gift to the community,” says Larissa Gadsby, executive director of this year’s concert. Gadsby has been involved in the concert series for years, but this is her first year in the executive director’s seat.
“This is really the largest community event that we put on as a church. We have about 4,000 people that will come through over the course of the five shows this weekend,” she explains.
Four of the five shows are free, which Gadsby explains is a way to give everybody, regardless of their circumstances, the opportunity to come out, enjoy some music, “and just really find hope and peace and joy in the season.”
The concert involves a cast and crew of about 100 people all in, says Gadsby, with performers as young as 8 years old, though most are in Grades 7 and above, and features a wide range of musical styles to appeal to everyone.
“It is a full concert,” says Gadsby. “We have a live band, orchestra, choir, vocals; we have dance this year. And basically what it is, is just a compilation of our favourite Christmas sounds varying from traditional carols sung in the traditional way in four part harmony to radio favourites like Michael Bublé and everything in between.
“I love the variety because there really is something for everyone, but for me I just love seeing people come together,” she adds.
That song selection ranges in genres from classical and jazz numbers to more modern takes on some old favourites.
“This year we have a little bit more of a techno-feeling song just to try to really appeal to a variety of musical tastes and so that people from the community can just come and have a great time experiencing a great way to kick off Christmas,” says Gadsby.
The dance choreography is a new element in the concert as well. Koinonia runs its own arts education program, byDesign, out of the church. This year, they’re bringing in some of the dancers from the program to take part in the concert and showcase their talents alongside the musicians.
“I just have a blast doing it!” says Holly Gadsby, one of the singers in the concert. Gadsby has been involved in the concert for eight of the past nine years; this season, she’s taking on standards like Blue Christmas and Snow from the film White Christmas.
“I just love being involved, and just being around the energy here is just amazing. From cast to crew, everybody volunteers, even if you’re the cameraman – there’s so much energy.”
And that energy is sure to be catching for anyone who attends.
“I feel like Christmas is not an easy time for everybody, but being here and being with the music, it’s uplifting. No matter what you’re going through, you’re going to feel something inside. A little spark,” says Holly Gadsby.
Christmas in Concert is running this weekend with five showings, 75 minutes each, over three days. The first is on Friday starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Friday’s concert, with some of the proceeds set to go towards JAM International, a non-profit working to eradicate starvation in Africa.
Then on Saturday and Sunday, Koinonia host four more concerts for free, with afternoon and evening showings on both days. The afternoon concerts start at 3:30 p.m. and the evening at 7 p.m. The church advises people to arrive early for the free shows, especially the afternoon ones, to ensure they get their tickets.
“Bring your friends, bring your kids and just make an event out of it,” encourages director Larissa Gadsby. “I can promise that you will leave having loved at least one of the numbers and just being really uplifted and encouraged to start the Christmas season and have just a wonderful Christmas.”
