Randell School of Music will be using their Christmas concert as a time to raise awareness and fundraise for local charity, A Better World.
The concert takes place on Dec. 6th at St. Andrews United Church, with the performance beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets cost $10 and are currently available at Lacombe Taco Time and Subway and will be available at the doors on the evening of the concert.
Melrose Randell, owner of Randell School of Music, said after visiting Kenya with her husband and members of A Better World in 2013, they recognized the need there and decided to use this concert as a time to promote and raise funds for the organization.
“During our intermission, we will have a collection for A Better World donations and will show a presentation with photos of the school in Kenya where we would like to build another classroom. They’re getting so many students at the school that they are running out of room,” said Randell.
The school was built on funds from the Lacombe Rotary Club as well as Colour Carpet Centre and Yoke Evangelistic Ministries. Construction began in 2013 and completed and officially opened the same year.
“Usually we just have parents and friends who come to recitals, but now we are more involved in the community and people can make donations to A Better World.
“We use the concert to provide some entertainment and fun and at the same time those who wish to contribute can donate to A Better World and receive a receipt for a charitable donation,” said Randell.
In the first half of the concert, current program students of Randell’s School of Music will present the work they have been covering for the past year.
Randell said these performances are influenced by musical theatre and folk songs.
Three of Randell’s former students, now advanced musicians, will present their talents during the evening.
Before intermission, guests will be treated to a clarinet concerto written by Mozart, performed by Ashley Miller and accompanied by piano.
Miller studied in the United States and has earned a master’s degree in music, specializing in clarinet.
After Miller, a Red Deer voice instructor by the name of Joyce Emms will sing for the guests and will be accompanied by a violinist.
Following the intermission, featured performer Nicole Brooks will take the stage.
“Nicole Brooks is a young woman from Central Alberta and she has sung for many years.
“She has done Lacombe Music Festival and Red Deer Music Festival concerts, and represented at provincials in Edmonton. Now, she is attending UBC. She was there for four years and finished a Bachelor of Music in the opera program. She has now started her Master’s degree – she is quite an advanced singer,” said Randell.
“It would be a wonderful gift for people to come out and enjoy this concert and we will be charging $10,” she added.
“That helps us cover costs of running the concert – administration fees and helping performers to attend.”
Randell said she is still looking for businesses who would like to sponsor the fundraising event.
Interested parties can contact her at 403-598-5533.
The event this weekend will also host light refreshments following performances, as well as a silent auction.
“I hope that people can come and enjoy the evening, even if they are unable to donate to A Better World.
“In the past, we’ve been able to hold about 200-250 people,” she added.
“One of the reasons I like to have the concerts at St. Andrews is because it has wonderful acoustics for the voices.
“This is going to be really, really lovely.”