The Light of Hope Returning: A Folk Oratorio for Winter Solstice is a concert-length work combining familiar folk and traditional carols, such as Lo, How a Rose in a gospel rendition and a bluegrass treatment of Angels We Have on High, with new compositions on the themes of the Morning Star, Winter Solstice and the New Year. The music, interspersed with beautiful readings, forms a dramatic arc with the audience being led on a candle-filled journey from distant hope, through darkness, and finally back into the return of the light of hope.

The oratorio was composed by Shawn Kirchner during the pandemic and debuted by the internationally-renowned Elektra Choir (Vancouver) and WomenSing (San Francisco). In the few short years since its debut, it has been presented by numerous distinguished choirs all over North America. This fall, Nanaimo’s own Island Bel Canto Singers will introduce The Light of Hope Returning to Nanaimo and Oceanside audiences, along with master musicians from the Central Island: Stefanie Unger (piano), Karl Rainer (violin), Hannah Wilson (cello), Laurie Meijer-Drees (double bass), Karen Withers-Janssen (flute), Brent Pattison (saxophone).

We hope that you will join us on this winter journey.