The choir held its third annual Christmas concert at Etobicoke’s Humber Valley United Church on December 2nd, 2018. Enthusiastic audiences from across the GTA joined special guests Marica Matković, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Canada, Andrea Javor, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia and several of her consular colleagues and MPP for Etobicoke Centre, Kinga Surma.
Led by Artistic Director Ed Mavrinac, the Christmas story unfolded through readings, music and song, both in English and Croatian. Young talented musicians accompanying the choir included an organist, trumpeters, a flautist and string quartet and the always-popular tambura ensemble. Past Merit Award recipients Julijana Hajdinjak and her sister Danijela performed a stirring duet. It didn’t take long for the audience to get into the holiday spirit and enthusiastically clap and sing along to several familiar favourites.
The concerts featured the debut of the CCCS Youth Choir, whose members range in age from 8 to 14. Led by Assistant Director Julijana Hajdinjak, the enthusiastic children were warmly received as they performed traditional and popular holiday songs. The growing youth choir is looking for more members. Please email Ed Mavrinac at edwardmavrinac@gmail.com if you know someone who would be interested in joining. The concerts ended on a stirring and peaceful note as the lights were dimmed and all performers encircled the congregations to sing Silent Night in English and Croatian.
