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The sound of Home Alone? Conductor for Barrie Concert Band talks holiday music

With new movies being made every year for the holiday season, Rick Pauze feels that Christmas music is being enriched and pushed in new directions
Pauze
Rick Pauze

It’s a concert being held just as the days are darkening, the mercury is creeping down, and carols and other Christmas tunes are making their way gently and slowly into the air.

In short, for Rick Pauze and the musicians in his Barrie Concert Band, this gig is right on time.

Pauze will lead the band in a night of old Hollywood standards and new favourites Saturday night, November 19, at Hi-Way Pentecostal Church, in an extravaganza called Christmas Goes to the Movies.

The band will feature tunes from It’s a Wonderful Life, the Jimmy Stewart classic without which no one’s Christmas is complete, as well as the Alastair Sim production of A Christmas Carol, and more recent offerings like The Polar Express

As to Pauze’s favourite Yuletide flick? That’s easy. Home Alone. “(Even) though it’s not really known for its music.” He is quick to note that It's A Wonderful Life is "up there."

This may sound patently obvious, but the Christmas season and the tunes seem to go hand-in-hand, and Pauze anticipates conveying the joy of the advent of the season.

“As far as music that comes to mind for Christmas, it's usually the wonderful sound of a brass group playing Christmas carols that comes to my mind.”  

He adds new Hollywood offerings extend and enrich the genre.

“With movies being made for the Christmas season, the soundtrack is always presenting new music and some reworking of traditional favourites. Movies such as Polar Express and Nightmare Before Christmas are adding to what is (perceived as) Christmas music and probably pushing it to its limits at times.”

And, best of all, folks in the stands are a part of the action.

“The audience is invited to join in for some carols during the concert. There is time for this in both halves of the concert as well as during our last piece, Auld Lang Syne.”

Pauze says he can’t wait.  

“The community really supports this group for this annual event. With our concert being a bit on the early side, it could be viewed as the opening of the Christmas season, with everyone making plans for the holiday that is coming.”

Pauze gives the downbeat to the Barrie Concert Band and Christmas Goes to the Movies at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 19 at Hi-Way Pentecostal Church. (50 Anne Street North).

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

For tickets and information, click here.  


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Glenn Wilkins

About the Author: Glenn Wilkins

Glenn Wilkins, in a 30-year media career, has written for print and electronic media, as well as for TV and radio. Glenn has two books under his belt, profiling Canadian actors on Broadway and NHL coaches.
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