Blog: Choral & Current

Post your own review of Luminous Night here!

Submit your review of Luminous Night

We loved singing Luminous Night for you! Here are the reviews that have come in. Please feel free to add your own by clicking the link above or the image below!

We had a wonderful evening. It was our first event at the St. Andrews-Wesley Church, and it was also the first time we attended a Chor Leoni performance, which we thoroughly enjoyed. If only we had had the pleasure of meeting Diane Loomer. We appreciate that we had the opportunity this evening to be part of the last performance she created.

Dianna

It was a fabulous concert, the precision singing and the beautiful sound was wonderful. So sad about the passing of Diane Loomer.

Elfrieda Friesen

As usual it was a fantastic evening! My mother-in-law especially appreciated your concert, as David Willcocks was her choirmaster at her school in England where she was choir leader.

Gillian Innes

No concert with Chor Leoni would not be an evening well spent. Perhaps next year you might add some of the ancient "Yule Tide" songs,and honour the winter solstice, for those of us who are not practicing Christians.

Marian Elder

Its a darn shame you haven't cancelled tonight's performance. I am with a back problem and unable to walk large blocks. This is a disappointment to 10 ticket holders from Delta area. We are unable to get proper transportation to your performance.

T Olson

What a luminous presentation. The miracle of Christmas was woven throughout the concert. I went to the concert to help heal my soul after the terrible shooting of the very young children in Connecticut as well as the recent death of a close friend. Listening to Chor Leoni is the best medicine imaginable.

Barbara Ballhorn

Most enjoyable as usual, and the audience participation is a very nice touch. Always an interesting mix of selections. I appreciate the fact that the program unabashedly reflects our cultural and in particular our religious heritage. No apologies for the Christian message of Christmas. Unfortunately that takes courage these days and I'm glad that you've got it!

Barbara Olson

Hi, I was really saddened by the passing of Diane. I felt her presence last night, and I am so glad I went. You are carrying on her hopes and dreams for the sharing of music with love and kindness. Thank you. I missed seeing Dick in the choir and hope that he is alright. Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.

Andrea Lee

I did enjoy the concert last night, even though it was already my third of the season! Usually I only get to one or at most two... I missed Diane terribly, though, and I'm sure the choir did too. No slight on Carrie, but it's hard to adjust; I very much respected the choir's carrying on in what must be a difficult time for them. I wished there had been not quite so many slow pieces - I think the choir had some difficulty maintaining the energy through those last night. What I liked best was the pure singing, and the wonderful harmonies and blend, which were harder to focus on in the much backup oohing and ahhing. Perhaps because I too was finding it difficult to maintain my energy those on occasion seemed to me to drag a bit. I was impressed at the difficulty of some of the pieces, but all in all I think the concert felt more fragmented and not quite as focused as the lions usually are, which is not in the least surprising. I think all told I like it best when they sing lyrics rather than musically challenging toning. It was nice to get the opportunity to sing along for a few pieces. And so regrettable that the new CD is already sold out of its first run! Thanks for a satisfying evening - my best wishes as you carry on without Diane.

Margaret Delgatty

I was swept away into a land of peace and beauty tonight. Thank you for the beautiful music and the seamless journey to the heart. I could feel Diane's spiritual presence in the room tonight. May we continue to do the musical work she has inspired within us.

Hussein Janmohamed

Wonderful evening, loved the addition of the cello. I'm sure it was emotional for you all. Diane would have been so proud of you.

Carole

A wonderful evening of Christmas music. Lovely settings and such incredible voices!! It must have been a very difficult eventing for the whole choir after the recent death of long time conductor. This was handled in a very sensitive, heartfelt way by all but especially by the conductor.Thanks and we will be back!!

Richard Wadge

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the concert due to the weather conditions in Port Coquitlam. But I look forward to trying again another time. Thank you. Donna

Donna Louie

Wonderful time, this concert start our Christmas Season. Thank you. Dieter Lange

Dieter Lange

Guys: We really enjoyed it - certainly a worthy remembrance of Dianne. Great music. Good idea not to have an intermission especially at this church - too crowded in the vestibule.. Did not enjoy the clarinet - too harsh for the occasion and a tad out of tune. Loved the cello - very fitting for the occasion and soothing. Sincerely Ray

Ray Dujardin

Tuesday concert: wonderful. Rough/out of step entry, with quick recovery. Tribute set the tone, and performance as earnest and flawless as ever. Love the 20th suits. Lo the Rose was wonderful. There is lots of depth and talent, and this year's work shows. Programming and following are for the choir now - please capitalize on it, look forward. It will always be Diane's choir - but they have the stuff to lead from within.

Katherine Paton

Could not attend due to weather.

Margery Evjen

Luminous Night is so amazing! Everything was perfect! And that joke with "Jingle Bells" was awesome! Happy New Year!

Ana

I thought that it was a very moving concert. I liked the inclusion of the cello. Such a wonderful tribute to Diane. I'm sure she was there with you all, smiling the whole time. Judith

Judith Parkes

We really enjoyed the evening - the program, the performers, and the engaging atmosphere. We also appreciated that we could buy our tickets online without having to pay a surcharge. For the March performance: we cannot attend (as much as we would like to): for some pensioners (such as us), the Ticketmaster surcharge plus the UBC parking fee are just too much money out of our "music budget". Regards

Rudolf Roth

We loved the concert last night. It was a wonderful example of the brilliant programming, the perfect blending and the sincere sharing of music and message that we have come to love with Chor Leoni. I feel certain Diane would have loved it. Congratulations o all of you for delivering a fine tribute to her skill and her spirit.

Marian Lowery

Didn't care for the soloist- I know he often sings with C L but I find his voice hard to listen to. Like a few more cheerful songs at Christmas but perhaps this was a difficult concert.

Charlene Gram

Dear Madam/Sir, I was most pleased with your program last night, partly because of the variety of the songs and presentations as well (of course) with the excellence of quality and precision of singing. Lastly, I commend you for having a christian-themed Christmas program with its periods of very soft sounds and humming, almost giving the audience moments of meditation. Thank you very much indeed, John Vanderlee, Vancouver.

John Vanderlee

Thank you for a beautiful evening of music in a beautiful setting. I loved the 7:30-9 time frame with no intermission. The evening was complete when the singers were available in the Narthex to bid us farewell. The request to hold applause until the end of each set didn't happen - perhaps a gentle verbal request from the MC would. Immediate applause did detract from the sacred moments at the end of the selections. Merry Christmas. Marjorie

Marjorie

Superb. Your assistant conductor's tribute to Diane was amazing and so important at the opening of your first concert since her death. The concert was vintage Chor Leoni, perfect in every way. I was surprised by the change of "uniforms" but they were fine, and less formal felt good. Thanks for this very welcome and powerful music in a setting with such fine accoustics. Mary Lesie

Mary Leslie

This year,with Diane's passing,the concert was especially moving and poignant. I appreciated the time to reflect, remember and just be still. There were lots of tears and laughter too. Just lovely. Diane's spirit is alive in the beautiful voices of her lions. Happy New Year to all!

Colleen Bell

I've enjoyed your music for many years. I never miss the Remembrance Day concert in West Van and am a regular at Christmas. At what I imagine is quite a difficult time, you honoured Diane's memory in the best way possible, with a performance that was pitch perfect from beginning to end. Wonderful.

Blair

I did not enjoy this concert as much as the Remembrance Day concert which I thought was brilliant. So glad Diane was there to experience it. Last night, I found some of the arrangements too much the same with much background harmonised humming. The Vaughan Williams piece I found particularly boring and uninspired. Overall, I was a bit disappointed and fear that the choir is being moved in a different direction where they do not have such a distinct sound. Sorry for being so negative. Maybe it is just not always possible to keep up the standard of the Remembrance Day concert.

MKM

A brilliant show on what must have been a very difficult evening for all involved in Chor Leoni. Music heals - thank you for your spirit and your beautiful voices!

Michelle Ninow

We often attend one or more of your concerts yearly. We especially look forward to your Christmas event. While we will all miss your founder and dynamic leader Diane Loomer we were again very appreciative of your Christmas concert this year. The crowd responded very positively to your presentation with its standing ovation. Best wishes for the balance ofthe season.

Bill Sexsmith

What a wonderful tribute to Diane, she would be very proud of her men. It was a truly marvelous and heart warming concert. Thank you so very much. Best Wishes and thanks to all the members. Don & Edie Swaile

Edie/Don Swaile

I loved it. Wish the audience would refrain from clapping as you had requested. Enjoyed the few carols that the audience sang . Sitting in the balcony wasn't the best-- next time we will arrive much earlier. Thank you.

Susan Engelbert

I am sure the evening was spectacular, unfortunately we were unable to attend due to the horrific weather and ensuing traffic nightmares. We will try to get to another concert in the near future. All the best to everyone for a happy and peaceful Christmas and 2013.

Kathy Holley

Super concert. Really caught the Christmas spirit. Thank you.

Alex Ferguson

What a wonderful night of music and great soaring harmonies. The voices were transcendent. You are truly a touching choir. Sad to not have Diane Loomer standing there, but her energy and guidance are there to be celebrated still.

Louise

We were so shocked and saddened to read of Diane's death. We were not able this year to attend the Veteran's Day concert so were not aware of her plans to step down. It is so understandable but I felt the concert was a bit heavy. Too many of the songs began with the choir humming, or "ooohing" etc. Loved the cello and especially "Silent Night". Would have loved to have heard at least one verse sung in German. We wish you are very best as you carry on without Diane. Blessings.

Marilyn Stremler

We LOVED the performance, our first Christmas performance of Chor Leoni and we will be back again - and bring friends/family! We loved the chance to sing along, and the performance of Silent Night with the cello was AMAZING!!!!

Wenda Bonshor

We, in our small group, were privileged to spend time with James Emery and Rob McAllister after the concert. We were interested to learn that some baritones have the capacity to sing the high,beautiful "soprano" notes we heard in at least one piece of music. A beautiful concert! and sad for us - as it must have been for you! Lovely director! Best wishes, Mary

Mary Saucier

I enjoyed the concert, but felt the selection to be a little unbalanced. There was too much harmonizing without words for my taste and it came across as a little dirge-like. I would have enjoyed more non-overly religious selections too- although they were beautifully sung.There are lots of us out here who love Christmas and music but have trouble with the lyrics of constant sin. We'd like more of the joy of singing and fellowship.

Rua Mercier

The concert was truly that of a heavenly chorus and done with such grace and professionalism while freshly grieving. I purchased your "yule tidings" CD so I could bring some of that deeply moving music into my home. My only negative reaction was to the blatant paternalism in so many of the lyrics. It felt like being in a church service with a liturgy very insensitive to inclusive language.

Molly Jonsson

I was saddened to hear of Diane's passing the week before. The piano amidst silence was a fitting tribute at the beginning, while the emphasis of the concert was still on the season and the music. Diane's contribution to vocal music will be felt for years to come. My partner and I both said that this concert signaled the start of the joyous part of the Christmas season for us. Carrie not only conducted but embraced the music with her arms and expression. I loved the lyrics to "Koppangen". The combination of cello and piano in Faure's piece by Heather Hay made me melt. From our seats near the front of the church, we were transported, as I"m sure Diane was from her seat above.

Dean Hollett

Thank you for a wonderful concert. Happy new year. Linda

Linda Hoechstetter

As always to hear you is a lovely experience for me, because of the blend of voices, how true you are to the notes and your choice of repertoire. Also your accompanist is accomplish-Ed! If you want any criticism at all I'm hard-put to find it other than that you could have loosened up a bit more on the song from -Newfoundland was it? It was fun, but needed some more whooping and hollering. Perhaps you are sad because of the loss of Diane Loomer. Thank you for a wonderful Yuletide evening!

Margaret Ellwood

Kudos to the choir for a lovely evening, and thank you for giving the audience an opportunity to honour Diane with the moment of silence. She will be missed. I appreciated the longer concert (90 min), a welcome improvement from last year's all too brief 60 minutes. Also, a number of us, seated mid church, found it difficult to hear the choir, including the soloists; the sound was there, but the level was very poor. St Andrews Wesley is a large stone church that has reasonably good acoustics, but it's a massive structure and hard to fill sound-wise. You might consider miking the soloists and the choir as the lack of volume definitely diminished our enjoyment of the concert.

Leigh Wilks

Posted by bruce on December 12, 2012 at 11:52 PM
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