Candlelight, chorus and charity: The Lyric Singers light up Loyola’s Chapel

The gothic Loyola Chapel will dim the lights and turn up the magic when the The Lyric Singers, who celebrated their 25th anniversary this year, ring in the holiday season with their Candlelight Christmas concert.

Having live (safe) candles for the annual Christmas show was always a dream of musical director, Bob Bachelor, who founded the singers in 1990 and has been with Lyric Theatre since 1980. When the group moved their venue from Ogilvy’s Tudor house to the Loyola Chapel, he could finally realise his vision.

A jazzy “Silent Night” arrangement, a joyous rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High” and some songs with French and English lyrics, the group strives to find arrangements that audiences haven’t heard before.

Crafting an original holiday show means that he starts searching for the perfect arrangements at the end of the summer.

“If we’re going to do jingle bells we’re not going to just do jingle bells,” said the singers’ assistant director, Chris Barillaro, who has been with the choir for four years now.

A special selection this year is a poem, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, set to music. The piece has a contemporary meaning for Bachelor.

“Even though there are terrible things in the world, there is still hope.”

And what could be more touching than looking out from the stage to see 300 people holding candles. “There is something magical about [it],” said Barillaro. “We do sing-a-longs and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve teared up.”

Perhaps the most fitting part is that supporting the Lyric Singers is a holiday gift for those in need. The ensemble is not-for-profit, and every year at their Christmas concert they accept donations for the NDG Food Depot. With ticket sales, they only hope to cover their costs, including their accompaniment, a harp, cello, flute and piano.

The Candlelight Christmas concert runs Dec. 3 – Dec. 6, and tickets are $28. To reach the box office call 514-743-3382 or email lyrictheatreboxoffice@gmail.com