Accompanied by a bagpiper, they stood proud next to the Fort Langley cenotaph belting out Amazing Grace to a near silent crowd of thousands on Nov. 11.
It was the LCC Singers’ first official gig, and it was an “incredibly meaningful” event to be part of, said musical director Anita Comba.
Langley Community Chorus has been a fixture in the community for 24 years. Now there’s an offshoot choir that will be performing at smaller choral and community events – such as Remembrance Day.
It’s hard to coordinate the schedule and find space for all 80 LCC members to attend different public functions.
So, traditionally, the chorus has restricted its efforts to hosting its three spring concerts, and two Christmas concerts.
That tradition will continue, Comba explained – as is the case this Sunday, Dec. 4, when they perform a 3 p.m. Christmas concert, Peace on Earth: Goodwill through Song, at the United Churches of Langley at the Five Corners in Murrayville (formerly known as Sharon United Church).
The LCC Singers – made up of 13 members (eight women and five men) of the larger chorus – will sing together at larger and smaller functions alike, Comba said.
“Because our choir is so large, we wanted to have a group that could function as ambassadors… go out to events that aren’t particularly ideal to get the full group out to,” she elaborated.
The concept of a smaller choir has existed for years, but auditions for the Singers were finally held in August, and rehearsals started in September.
Already, the group is performing together well, the director said, noting “a ton of rehearsing” was not necessary since they’ve all worked together before.
In addition to performing two numbers in the LCC Christmas concert, and participating in the Remembrance Day ceremony, this new team will showcase their talents at Willowbrook Shopping Centre next Wednesday, Dec. 7 (6 p.m. on the stage in front of Purdy’s).
The LCC Singers haven’t performed at too many gigs yet, Comba said. But the list of shows is expected to grow.
“I think this spring will afford us a few more opportunities… to be part of community events,” she noted.