Cochrane High School choir celebrated the sounds and songs of Christmas this week at a distinguished concert event in Calgary.
Last night, 46 choir and 93 band members from Cochrane High School (CHS) took the stage at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in front of about 1,500 guests for the Optimist Club of Calgary’s Festive Showcase evening.
The award-winning Calgary Stampede Show Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band and The Heebee-Jeebees also shared the spotlight with the Cochrane group. Organizer Lyle Bennett said CHS has been the only school invited to participate in the event for the last two seasons.
“It’s certainly one of the top programs in the Calgary area for developing young kids,” he said. “We know the great work that’s being done.”
Choir director Jander Talen said it was an honour for his students to be asked to participate in such a large-scale holiday presentation.
“It’s a professional venue. They can’t see the audience; the lights are on,” Talen said before the concert, adding his singers were feeling the jitters – but in a good way. “The nervous energy is an exciting thing.”
Cochrane’s band performed three moving pieces, and the choir performed Kaleidoscope Heart by Sara Bareilles, a Nigerian Christmas song titled Betelehemu, and the Quaker hymn How Can I Keep From Singing? The group worked on the songs for about two and a half months.
“You want a variety,” he said of the choice of music. “Something that strikes different emotions.” The musical youth groups will continue to practice and perform for the rest of the school year.
