Now in its 19th year, TWU’s annual Christmas at the Chan celebration will once again mark the beginning of the holiday season through a concert on Sunday, Dec. 3 in Vancouver.
This year’s Christmas at the Chan features the TWU masterworks chorus and chamber choir, under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Ewert.
And, they will be joined by the Langley Fine Arts School chamber choir, under the direction of Jonny Michel. Special performers include Alison Nystrom (soprano), Dinah Ayre (alto), and David Rosborough (bass).
“This year, it is my privilege to work with the Chan family and the School of the Arts, Media, and Culture at TWU to present a program that reflects a message of hope, joy, and light of Christmas in the midst of a tumultuous world,” said Ewert, director of the TWU choir and chorus.
Since 2004, Trinity Western University has shared the Christmas message of hope, wonder, and peace through this musical performance at the Chan Centre.
Christmas at the Chan began with the Chan family and the vision of Dr. Tom Chan and Chapman Chan to bless the City of Vancouver with an event that highlights the meaning of Christmas.
TWU’s choirs have performed at Christmas at the Chan, first under the direction of Dr. Wes Janzen and then Dr. Joel Tranquilla, expressively sharing the joy and beauty of the season.
This year’s concert will be led by Ewert, a TWU graduate who participated in the Christmas at the Chan tradition as a student under Janzen’s direction.
For this year’s concert theme, Ewert said he’s has drawn inspiration from Isaiah’s prophecy that points to Jesus as the light of the world.
“This year, it is my privilege to work with the Chan family and the School of the Arts, Media, and Culture at TWU to present a program that reflects a message of hope, joy, and light of Christmas in the midst of a tumultuous world,” he shared.
The choirs of Trinity Western University have gained a strong reputation through their regular stand-alone performances and collaborations with professional ensembles, such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Sea to Sky Symphony, the Canadian Chamber Choir, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
In recent years, the TWU Chamber Choir has toured to China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. A newly commissioned oratorio by Dr. David Squires was premiered by the choirs in spring 2023, and members of the program travelled to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Sunday’s concert, Dec. 3, begins at 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 2, at UBC Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd., in Vancouver. Tickets are available online while supplies last.