The Holiday Season is upon us, and the hustle and bustle of Christmas has been trumpeted by familiar Christmas carols pouring out of mall speakers and car radios everywhere. So you better believe the Calgary Men’s Chorus and Edmonton Vocal Minority are on board with their musical offerings this year!
The Calgary Men’s Chorus is bringing their wonderful rendition of Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol to the stage of the Roza Center this December 20th. It is accompanied by narration by Seth Donsky, a New York native actor and director, noted for his queer take on the classic Oliver Twist in a recent film. Rounding out his third season as artistic director Jean Louis describes this year’s performance as ”A rendition of A Christmas Carol” where the choir ”provides the emotional punch.” Jean Louis has led a successful career in music, completing an undergraduate degree in the field, and currently working toward becoming a Master of Coral Conducting. In 2005, he organized and produced a week-long conference and music festival based on the music of John Cage, for which he was presented the Faculty of Fine Arts’ Creative Achievement Award.
The Calgary Men’s Chorus was established in 1994, and is has been dedicated to excellence in the teaching and performance of men’s choral music. The organization is open to all men regardless of socio-economic status, physical ability or musical experience. They especially encourage Canadian musicians, artists, composers and arrangers. The ultimate goal is to encourage a sense of community and positive self-image among gay men, to enrich the GLBT community as a whole.
Tickets will be available at the door, but can be pre-purchased through Choir members, at the Pump House Theatre, or online at www.pumhousetheater.ca.
Meanwhile the Edmonton Vocal Minority is preparing to wow a crowd of all ages with their family-friendly performance on December 15th at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton. Conductor Paula Roberts who also directs the EKOS (Edmonton Kiwanis Singers), a 40 member adult show choir, has in shows past created audience interaction which she believes helps to foster an open, entertaining, and popular social event.
Roberts has had a successful career as an instructor for the Grant MacEwan Summer Vocal Workshop, and has taught private voice lessons at the Community College. She writes and arranges choral music for her company, North Wind Music Publishing. In the past she also has directed numerous Edmonton choirs including the Grant MacEwan Outreach Jazz Choir for teens, the Northgate Lions Choralaires, and the children’s program for Edmonton Musical Theatre.
Artistic Director, Kirk Kryvenchuck works closely with Paula in planning the season, engaging artists and reviewing their repertoire. Kirk is the organist at First Church of Christ Scientist, regularly working with several distinguished singers who serve as soloists for the church. He is also active as a piano accompanist, most recently performing in the cabaret duo Black Boa. He has worked with EVM since the group’s inception in 1992 and he acted as Artistic director for two years engaging guest conductors and artists.
The Edmonton Vocal Minorities performance will feature additional performances by the Unitarian Church Choir and the Edmonton Women’s Choir.
Calgary Men’s Chorus presents
Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol
December 20th, 2008 @ 8:00pm
The Rosza Centre
University of Calgary

Edmonton Vocal Minority presents
Solstice Songs & Mistletoe
December 15th, 2008 @ 7:00pm
Unitarian Church of Edmonton
10804 – 119th Street