CBC Montreal's annual Christmas Sing-In spreads holiday cheer
A packed house of 1,500 people came out for the city's biggest and oldest sing-along at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul and in Bourgie Hall, Saturday.
Now in its 39th year, the CBC Sing-In concert features beloved carols performed by the choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, the Sing-In brass and percussion ensemble, organist Jonathan Oldengarm and conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée.
While admission is free, donations were collected for CBC Montreal's annual charity funding drive that benefits West Island Community Shares, a charity that distributes funds to 41 different non-profit organizations in the West Island.
Jean-Sébastien Vallée was conducting the choir for the fourth year in a row.
"It's always my favourite part of the Christmas season," said Vallée.
"[It's] really unique to go in front of so many singers, both in front of me and behind me. It's a really powerful sound that makes your whole body vibrate and I'm really excited to hear all that wonderful music."
People started lining up at the Church around 11:30 a.m., eager to get a good seat for the concert.
Montrealer Jeffrey Liutak said he's been coming to the Sing-In for eight years.
"This is an annual tradition that we never want to miss. If you're missing that Christmas spirit, you walk through those doors and your heart is just filled with joy and it's just a beautiful experience," he said.
This is the 20th year that Robert Ohannessian has come to the Sing-In. To him, the chilly wait in line adds to the festive atmosphere of the event.
"It's a wonderful event. It puts me ahead of time [in] the Christmas spirit," Ohannessian said. "I love the church, I love the organ, the choir, everything is fantastic. How can I miss it?"
The concert will be available to stream on CBC Music as of Dec. 13 and it will play on CBC Radio One, 88.5 FM in Montreal, on Christmas Day at noon with Julie Nesrallah hosting.
It will play again at 4 p.m. on CBC Music, 93.5 FM in Montreal (and for West Islanders, 104.7 FM will have the clearer signal).
