Choral fans, this one's for you.
If you're a regular reader, you'll know by now that I always get a little over-excited when choir season starts again - and this year is no exception.
Of course, Christmas concerts (yikes!) aren't all that far away, but for those of us who are impatient for some choral entertainment, there are some wonderful offerings in November from Vancouver's fine choirs.
Here are a few highlights:
* Vancouver Cantata Singers: The Cantata Singers are back with their Spinal Chord Gala, taking place Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre in Vancouver. The singers perform in the "acoustically superb" atrium of the centre, in an interdisciplinary event that also recognizes ICORD (the International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries).
"This annual event gives us the opportunity to come together an identify common ground and shared perspectives in our varied pursuits," says a writeup about the concert.
The $100 price includes an $80 tax receipt. Proceeds are shared between the singers and ICORD.
* Phoenix Chamber Choir: The choir celebrates its 30th anniversary season with LUCIS, an anniversary celebration and concert, on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. It's at Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 West 33rd Ave. Works by Britten, Lauridsen and many more - including favourites from past season - are on the program, as is an appearance by the Phoenix Alumni Choir. Guest pianist Terence Dawson also joins the choir. A reception follows the concert.
(Yes, you may remember that I was with Phoenix for a couple of seasons. Personal commitments in the form of a 15-month-old mean I'm no longer singing with them, and unfortunately competing rehearsals mean I'm not able to be in the alumni choir either. But I'm still planning to do my best to get out and celebrate with them - and you should too!)
* Chor Leoni: The singers are offering up their 21st annual Remembrance Day concerts, Memory Eternal, in three locations - Sunday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. at The ACT Maple Ridge (theactmapleridge.org, 604.476.2787); Monday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. at West Vancouver United Church (TicketsTonight.ca, 1.877.840.0457); and Monday, Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, Vancouver (TicketsTonight.ca 1.877.840.0457).
"I chose to focus on the love, loss and eventual joy each of us find in remembrance," artistic director Erick Lichte explains in a press release. "Poetry and music from many cultures will come together to make this year's Remembrance Day concert a universal exploration and celebration of the memories of those who have gone before us."
So there you have it - a few choral treats to whet your appetite for what is bound to be another fine choral season in this choir-rich city of ours.
