(The West Ottawa Ladies Chorus perform at Brown’s YIG on Sunday, November 17, 2019. Photo: John Bottriell)
As you passed through the entrance, you could hear their voices cascading down from the balcony of Brown’s YIG. It was the most glorious sound above the grocery store din. The West Ottawa Ladies Chorus (WOLC), led by Robert Dueck and accompanied by Peter Brown on piano, performed two mini sing-along concerts. The captured audience enjoyed every minute of the performances.
The WOLC has performed pop-up concerts in previous years, but wanted to do something a bit different. They wanted to share their musical talent and give back to the community through their music. That they did!
(L to R: Robert Dueck, Director and Peter Brown, accompanying Pianist of the West Ottawa Ladies Chorus. Photo: Stittsville Central)
Robert, with his witty sense of humour, passed on a few words about the chosen songs for the performance and connected each with the shopping experience:
Sleigh Ride – ‘outside the snow is falling and ‘singers singing’ “You-hoo!”
Jingle Bells – Sleigh-bell percussion from chorus member Vivian McLean added that festive sound to this familiar carol, sung by the 40 members of the West Ottawa Ladies Chorus.
Winter Wonderland – ‘when it snows, ain’t it thrillin’…and ‘thrillin’ was the invite from Todd Brown to once again bring an afternoon of holiday music to shoppers.
Carol of the Bells – since its original publication in 1936, this song has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time…a real singer and shopper favorite.
Christmas in Killarney – this lively, catch Irish Christmas tune certainly got the attention of a store full of shoppers.
Chestnuts Roasting – I think sales when up in the Peanut aisle!
Wintertime Cheer – a rousing contemporary a cappella madrigal and title for the upcoming, annual West Ottawa Ladies Chorus Christmas Concert.
Hot Chocolate – customer appreciated worked both ways. The Ladies Chorus appreciated the opportunity to entertain shoppers and singing ‘Hot Chocolate’ may have helped increase Hot Chocolate K-Cup sales!
A Marshmallow World – an afternoon of music that helped bring shoppers into the Christmas spirit.
Baby Born in Bethlehem – the end of each set of music left singers and audience feeling and moving to the beat of this very upbeat spiritual.
(The West Ottawa Ladies Chorus pose for a photo on the stairway leading to the balcony at Brown’s YIG. Photo: Stittsville Central)
The mini performances were a taste of what is to come at the upcoming Chorus performances on Friday, December 6th at 7:00 pm and Saturday, December 7th at 2:30 pm. The performances are being held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 20 Young Road in Kanata. To purchase tickets: https://wolc.yapsody.com/event/index/479601/wintertime-cheer.
Robert Dueck is the long-time Director of the Ladies Chorus and this will be his last Christmas appearance at Brown’s.