RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

The Cape Breton Chorale celebrated the onset of the 2009 holiday season with its thirty-seventh consecutive Christmas concert on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. in St Andrew's Church, Bentinck Street, Sydney, NS.  This was a rescheduling of the concert originally planned for December 6th.

The program was chosen to engage the audience in a broad emotional spectrum. The music evoked not only inspiration and meditation but also fond remembrances of Christmases past and joyful celebration of continuing blessings of family and friends. Several opportunities for audience singalong participation were included.

The Chorale felt that Friday's concert was very special - almost as if it was was singing for a select audience in a very special setting. There was a deep sense of beauty and peace throughout the concert.  So, despite the unfavorable weather and disappointment at the forced rescheduling, there was much to be grateful for and to reflect on.  The Chorale expresses its deep appreciation for the enthusiasm and loyalty of its audiance and wishes one and all the very best this holiday season has to offer.

Once more the Chorale, joined by the Sacred Heart, Seaton Elementary and St. Anthony Daniel Choirs, took part in the world's largest regular singing event "Voices for Hospices 2009" in an October 4th performance at Sacred Heart Church in Sydney.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.  All proceeds from this concert will go to the support of hospices and palliative care in Cape Breton.

The theme this year is “Discovering your voice” highlighting the need for the voices of people affected by life-limiting illness, their families and carers to be heard.

How it began

Voices for Hospices grew out of a ‘Come & Sing’ event for the Princess Alice Hospice in the UK in 1988. The first official Voices for Hospices event took place in 1991. The number of events grew rapidly and with the launch of the first World Hospice and Palliative Care Day in 2005, there were activities in over 70 countries.

Millions of pounds have been raised over the years, thousands of people have been involved and the issues facing those with a life-limiting illness has been featured on television, radio and in the printed media.

About hospice and palliative care

Hospice and palliative care, which is provided in a variety of settings including hospices, people’s homes, hospitals and the community, improves the quality of life of patients and their families. It aims to provide the best possible care for people living with and dying from a life-limiting illness and helps prevent and relieve suffering through pain and symptom relief as well through practical help, emotional and spiritual support.

About the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is an activity of the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance. The WPCA is a network of national and regional hospice and palliative care organizations with a vision of a world with universal access to quality palliative care.