'Tis the season for performing

James Bay Community Centre School

By Janice Matthews

December is upon us, with all of its traditions, celebrations and events. The school and community centre will be alive with activity as we host community dinners, assemblies and concerts and as children and families gear up for the holidays.

This is an exciting time for children at James Bay Community School because it's the month for performances. They love to dress up and perform with their peers in front of an audience, especially when there are real stage lights and decorations. December is also the perfect time for the children in our choir to share their enthusiasm for singing with the school and the community.

If you have ever been in the building after school you know that the first sounds you hear are the voices of children at play. On a Tuesday however, you will likely also hear the delightful sounds of children singing. If you follow those sounds you will eventually find yourself outside the library windows watching our James Bay ChoirKids at their weekly practice. You might wonder how such small and very active bodies make such beautiful music!

The ChoirKids program is made possible through a partnership between the school and the Arbutus Singers Music Education Society (ASMES). This society was formed in 2006 when five members of the Arbutus Singers made it their mission to provide youth choir opportunities to children who do not have access to such programs in their communities. The first of five choirs was formed at James Bay in 2008, with the school providing the children and ASMES providing the director, the pianist, volunteer supervisors and the snack. The positive impact of the program has continued during the past five years as we have watched and listened to well over one hundred James Bay children singing their hearts out in the school, the community centre and the larger community. Every spring they are invited to perform in concert with the Arbutus Singers; imagine being a six-year-old child and singing with an adult choir of over seventy people! You just have to look at the faces of the children and their parents to know what a wonderful experience this is!

The James Bay ChoirKids will be singing this month at the Dickens Fair at 4:00 on December 1, the Seniors Holiday Dinner at 5:00 on December 5, and the Christmas Concert on December 19 at 1:30 and 6:30. They have also been asked to perform in several locations throughout the James Bay community.

Are you looking for beautiful choral music to help you celebration of the season? The Arbutus Singers annual "Family and Friends Christmas Concert" is on December 5 at 7:30, at St. Aiden's Church (3703 St. Aiden's St.). Tickets are $15.00 and all proceeds go to the ChoirKids program. If you would like tickets please phone the community centre desk (250-389-1470)