The Arthémuse Choir Offers an Enchanting Christmas Concert

The traditional Christmas concert given by the Arthémuse choir at Maison Jésus-Marie last Sunday was an occasion for much rejoicing. The pleasure was palpable in the audience and for the members of this vocal ensemble, founded in 1993 at Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert.

Rémi St-Jacques, choir and orchestra conductor

Under the theme “Un Noël enchanteur” (An Enchanting Christmas), the members of this choir offered a full program. The choir opened with Mathieu Gaudet’s “On sort au grand air”, followed by “Chanson pour les mois d’hiver” by singer-songwriter Isabelle Boulay. Works by Damien Robitaille (“Bientôt ce sera Noël”) and Lionel Daunais (“La tourtière”) were interwoven with John Rutter’s “Suite for Strings Myt”, “Ubi Caritas” (Ola Gjeilo) and “The Armed man-Sanctus” (Karl Jenkins).

This skilful blend of genres and rhythms helped create a festive atmosphere despite the gloomy weather. Sisters at MJM watched the concert in the comfort of their own rooms (closed circuit TV) or in the chapel, which welcomed out-of-town Sisters and many visitors.

Mrs. Geneviève Grégoire

The vocal ensemble, which incidentally includes MJM General Manager Geneviève Grégoire, is under the direction of choir and orchestra conductor Rémi St-Jacques. The choir was accompanied by pianist-repetitor (skilled pianist, conductor and vocal teacher) Johanne Ratté. The mixed-voice choir brings together some sixty singers. During its public performances people are invited to join their ranks and experience the exciting world of choral singing.

The Arthémuse choir benefited from the support of some of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) when it was founded 30 years ago at Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert, and throughout its development.

Photos credit: Sr Suzanne Brault