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Keeping the carol tradition singing

Whistler Singers host two nights of holiday merriment with Christmas classics and gems

Who: Whistler Singers

When: Dec. 9 & Dec. 16

Where: Pemberton & Whistler

Tickets: $10/$5

Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas carols from 1649 to 1660. The music was considered Satan’s music. Cromwell envisioned a Christmas of solemn sermons and prayers, not carols and parties.

But four centuries later, songs such as Silent Night, penned in 1818, The First Noel in 1833, Jingle Bells 1857, and O Little Town of Bethlehem in 1867, continue to sing on with Whistler Singers holiday concerts on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at St. David’s United Church in Pemberton and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Whistler.

“It’s largely holiday stuff,” said choir director Jeff Maskell. “A lot of Christmas songs with some general winter songs and one Hebrew piece. It’s not Hanukkah, but it’s not Christian either.”

The evening celebrates the holidays with familiar favourites and some soon to be new favourites. The choir of 25 singers will harmonize more sophisticated pieces as well as children cheer for the kids.

“We always have sing-alongs with songs like Frosty and Rudolf for the kids,” Maskell said.

But songs such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town isn’t just for kids. The song has been a hit for legends such as Bing Crosby, Perry Como, the Jackson Five and Bruce Springsteen. Bing Crosby also sold more than 31 million copies of White Christmas.

So toast a glass of eggnog to classic songs that forever remain evergreen with the Whistler Singers and special guest performances from local musicians.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.