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Philharmonic concerts a winter wonder

Three musical groups are keeping the season cool with two evenings of toe-tapping tunes. The Foothills Philharmonic chorus, orchestra and chamber chorus are collaborating in Tales of Ice and Snow at the High River United Church Dec.
Foothills Philharmonic Chorus
The Foothills Philharmonic Chorus is joining the chamber chorus and orchestra in its performance of Tales of Ice and Snow in High River Dec. 14 and Okotoks Dec. 15.

Three musical groups are keeping the season cool with two evenings of toe-tapping tunes. The Foothills Philharmonic chorus, orchestra and chamber chorus are collaborating in Tales of Ice and Snow at the High River United Church Dec. 14 and Okotoks United Church on Dec. 15. Both performances are at 7 p.m. Tim Korthuis, who conducts the chorus, sings in the chamber chorus and plays the harpsichord — a precursor to the piano — in the orchestra, said the concert provides a taste of the winter season in musical format. “A lot of our songs are gathered in and around the piece Northern Lights by Latvian composer Eriks Esenvalds,” he said. “The music is so gorgeous. We have lots of beautiful choral works with themes around ice and snow.” The chorus and orchestra will collaborate in Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, composed by John Rutter, in another beautiful piece, said Korthuis. “That piece is very gorgeous because the text is based on a story of the journey of explorers when they first saw the northern lights,” he said. “Imagine seeing the northern lights for the first time. The piece really captures that in a beautiful way. It includes hand bells and water glasses as accompanying instruments.” The two groups will also collaborate in the traditional closing of the December concert, the song Hallelujah. “It has always been a tradition of the Foothills Philharmonic Chorus at the end of each of our concerts,” he said. “Last Christmas we had a bunch of the philharmonic orchestra say, ‘Can we play that with you because that’s lots of fun.’” This year marks the first the one-year-old orchestra has been a part of the Foothills Philharmonic Chorus’ December concert, Korthuis said. “The orchestra is a newer ensemble so it gives them exposure for their spring concert and a more established audience base,” he said. “It just made sense for us to do a collaboration in the winter season. An orchestra is a beautiful addition to a Christmas concert. It brings a wonderful feeling and it’s a wonderful sound to hear.” The orchestra will perform pre-concert music to get the audience in the mood before playing a selection of winter-themed arrangements, said Korthuis. The chorus will commence shortly after with a variety of songs from around the world, followed by the chamber chorus, he said. Among the songs is Lake Skin, written by Canadian composer Carmen Braden who Korthuis knows well from the University of Calgary where he studied to become a conductor. “It’s a very unique piece,” he said. “She has this part where the choir starts making cracking sounds while different sections sing these beautiful soaring lines to make it sound like the wind.” Korthuis said it’s been a full season as the three groups prepared for this month’s show, and he feels everyone is ready for the stage come this weekend. “With any concert I’m a firm believer that an element of fear keeps you on your toes,” he said. “There is definitely a psychological element if something fumbles that shouldn’t have, where people are like ‘I need to keep close attention.’.” Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for teens and seniors. Those under 13 are free. Tickets can be purchased at foothillsphilharmonic.com or at the door.

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