Holy Trinity United Church was filled to capacity for Sunday evening’s Christmas concert and cantata, but unlike the inn in Bethlehem during the birth of Christ, no one was turned away.
The church played host to the annual Christmas Concert and Cantata organized by Ann Foy and her Suite Music band of gifted musicians and singers. The event, said Foy, was held to assist in raising money for furniture for the new palliative care hospice suite at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
It was meant to “close the gap,” between money already raised and money needed to finish paying for the furniture already ordered. Instead, Foy said, the concert raised $2,000 — enough to meet the final money-raising goal.
The Suite Music group has been holding its annual concert and cantata for 10 years, but it’s the first time it has attracted a capacity crowd.
“It’s grown, first time it’s been standing room only,” an overjoyed Foy told ElliotLakeToday.
The two-hour concert featured traditional Christmas carols sung by Foy’s choirs, the all women Jewels of Harmony and mixed choir Suite Harmony and instrument groups, including musicians playing carols with chimes. Also featured during the concert was a solo performance by guitarist Dominique Jean who sang a favoured French carol and duet singers Arlene Bujold and Alison Braidwood.
The crowd also participated, singing carols during short intervals in the concert when on-stage performers were switching acts.
Musician Ted Horsburgh’s talent on the piano was also an integral part of the evening’s music with its Christmas carols and the telling of the story of the birth of Jesus.