The Christmas season is filled with music and song.
Christmas concerts are a big part of the holiday celebration, creating memories for young and old.
On Saturday, November 25th, Nipissing Serenity Hospice is holding its Third Annual Christmas Concert, in support of the hospice and in memory of a volunteer who was passionate about the cause.
"Adele Williams was really an angel that came down to help us about four years ago. She had just completed looking after her husband at home for quite awhile and then in the hospital. Her promise to him on his deathbed was that she would do everything she possibly could to make sure that we could build a residential hospice," explained Mathilde Bazinet, Chair, Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
Williams reached out to Bazinet, dedicating the last three and a half years of her life raising funds for the project.
"She really raised awareness in our community of the need for a residential hospice. The first Christmas concert was her idea. So this is the reason this year, our annual Christmas concert is in honour of Adele."
The show will feature roughly 13 different performances by local talent.
"We have a lot of variety. There will be adult choirs and children's choirs, quartets, bands and individual performers. We have fantastic talent in North Bay, people with beautiful voices who love to share their talent and help others. It's going to be a very joyous evening."
La Chorale Magnificat, a mixed choir from Vincent de Paul parish, is one of the groups performing Saturday evening.
Raymond Colbourne has been a member of the choir for 20 years.
"I think what makes it special is its longevity. We've been together for so long, we've become a family. We all love singing, so whenever we get an invitation to perform, we're always very glad to participate and share our music. We've even gone to nursing homes, and we enjoy things like that," said Colbourne.
He says the choir is happy to support this fundraiser.
"The hospice is high up on the list of priorities for the community. To see it coming together is so encouraging. It's important to understand the importance of dying in a special, tranquil environment where you can be with your family and go with dignity," said Colbourne.
"When we get involved in such an activity like the concert, it's not only words that are coming out, we're singing with our hearts, as well as with our voices. We leave on the stage a part of ourselves, and we're glad to be able to go there and even by our presence, prove that this is such a worthy cause."
Saturday's concert is at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall starting at 7:30. Doors open at 6:30 The $20 tickets are available at the Davedi Club and Gullivers, and at the door.
