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Tuba John Memorial Concert rings in the Christmas season

The night was a fun, festive crescendo of local talent
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Rocco Catalano is one of the main organizers of the annual Tuba John Memorial Concert held this year at St. Andrew’s United Church. (Photo by Patrick Davies)

The rafters sang at St. Andrew’s United Church Wednesday night for the Annual Tuba John Memorial Concert.

With a packed parking lot outside and barely an empty pew in church, the night was a fun, festive crescendo of local talent. From the acapella group Synergy Quartet to the Cariboo Men’s Choir and Quintet Plus, powerful voices were all on display.

For powerful lungs and the main attraction, however, one only had to look to Rocco Catalano and the Cariboo Christmas Brass Ensemble. This mix of old and young musicians performed a series of resounding covers of classic Christmas carols that echoed through the halls.

For a grand finale, the band and both choirs joined together with the audience to sing a few resounding Christmas classics, ending on a stirring rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah

A continuation of the popular Tuba John Christmas Concert and Friends hosted by John and Debbie Sykes, its held every year in honour of John, who lost his battle with cancer in March of 2013. His memory and work to support the community is kept alive and well every year and this year was no exception.



patrick.davies@wltribune.com

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Members of the Cariboo Men’s Choir and Quintet plus join forces to sing a series of resounding Christmas tunes at the Tuba John Memorial Concert. (Photo by Patrick Davies)
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The tuba section of the Cariboo Christmas Brass Ensemble at St. Andrew’s United Church for the Tuba John Memorial Concert. (Photo by Patrick Davies)
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The Cariboo Christmas Brass Ensemble performing on St. Andrew’s United Church’s altar. (Photo by Patrick Davies)
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The trumpet section of Cariboo Christmas Band Ensemble performing at St. Andrew’s United Church. (Photo by Patrick Davies)
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The Cariboo Christmas Brass Ensemble performing on St. Andrew’s United Church’s altar. (Photo by Patrick Davies)
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The audience looks on in rapt attention while the Cariboo Men’s Choir, Quintent Plus and the Cariboo Christmas Brass Ensemble join forces to make the rafters sing with music. (Photo by Patrick Davies)


Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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