St. Mary’s Concert Series embarks on fourth season

BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

The St. Mary’s Concert Series embarks this weekend on what should be one of the best seasons of its four-year history.

“We really think this is our best lineup yet,” says series committee chairwoman Evelyn Keddy. “We have a wide range of performers, and we feel there should definitely be something for everybody.”

The 2008 season kicks off April 20 with a performance by the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir, 7:30 p.m. at Berwick United Church.

This group of talented young Valley choristers, under the direction of William A. Perrot, maintains a busy schedule of concerts, church services, festivals and community events.

The choir is currently preparing for one of its tri-annual trips to Europe, where it performs in prestigious choral festivals. Accompanist Edward Enman is a talented chorister, piano soloist and composer in his own right.

Admission for Sunday’s concert is $10 per adult and $25 per family. The evening will include delicious desserts at intermission and following the performance, courtesy of St. Mary’s A.C.W.

The remainder of the year should be diverse, entertaining and exciting. May 17 at the Aylesford fire hall, Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Famer Chet Brown will headline an old-time music night. Brown will be joined on stage by David Arenburg, Bonny Daniels, Lois Lutz and Graham Moorehead.

June 21 at Christ Church Hall in Berwick, Shoulder to Shoulder will present their infectious blend of rhythm, blues and soul - with a humorous touch sure to entertain. The opening act will be a musical collective from the Berwick area, featuring Peter Bull, Andrew Johnson and other young musicians.

July 2 at the Aylesford United Church, Middleton native Erica McBurney, a talented contralto studying at McGill University, will return to the series.

July 8, the St. Mary’s Concert Series teams up with the well-established Musique Royale series to present Rejouissance, a unique sextet of classical musicians from the Halifax area who perform 17th and 18th century music in costume. This concert will take place at historic St. Mary’s Church in Auburn, the impressive acoustics of which should add to the appeal of an entertaining evening.

In August, the series visits Christ Church, Morden for the fourth edition of the always-popular Mussel Shell Café. This will once again feature soloists, ensembles and instrumentalists from the St. Mary’s congregation; joined by fiddler Iain Beaton and storyteller Mel Malton for an evening of songs and storiesby the sea.

September 13, Stan Carew, host of CBC’s Weekend Mornings, will visit the Aylesford fire hall, accompanied by The Magpies.

October 4, Valley Voices, the women’s barbershop harmony chorus under the direction of Theresa Weatherbee, will perform at Berwick United Church.

In November, the St. Mary’s Singers, a talented mixed quartet, will bring their repertoire of light classical selections -“some sacred, some secular, some silly” - to St. Mary’s Church. They will be joined by soprano soloist Judith Burdett.

The season ends Dec. 6 with a special performance for the Christmas season by Celtic harpists and vocalists Ardyth and Jennifer, who will present their Wildfire concert.

For information on the St. Mary’s Concert Series, look for the bright yellow brochures available at many local outlets.

WEBLINKS

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