The Christmas Cantata Project has become an annual tradition for Conception Bay South and surrounding areas. Since 2013, the CSCA's Holiday Concert has featured their own choirs plus the performance of a half hour massed choir work celebrating the Christmas season. All interested singers from the community are invited to join in the massed choir. Since 2014 the program has involved an orchestra accompanying the choir, which has become one of the most favourite parts of the program for our audience and all involved.
2025 - Bob Chilcott: A Christmas Medley
Our 12th Annual Christmas Cantata celebrates the music of Bob Chilcott, composer, clinician and founding member of The King Singers. With enthusiastic and warm holiday favourites, it will be a fitting tribute for Bob Chilcott's 70th birthday year!
2024 - What Sweeter Music by Mark Hayes
Classic carols and joyful anthems filled the air during our 11th Annual Christmas Cantata. What Sweeter Music by Mark Hayes. With a selection of memorable favourites, it was a welcoming and peaceful beginning to the holiday season.
2023 - Tidings of Joy: A Celtic Christmas Celebration
In 2023 we celebrated our 10th Anniversary of the Cantata Project with an ambitious performance of Tidings of Joy: A Celtic Christmas Celebration by Joseph M. Martin! With an choir of 50 singers, special guests and a Celtic Consort, it was a performance not to miss!
2022 - This is the Time by Dr. David Buley
After a 2 year hiatus due to the pandemic, CSCA had their first joint Holiday Concert with newly appointed Artistic Directors Dr. David Buley and Abra Whitney. A jazz cantata, This is the Time by Dr. David Buley was performed by CSCA and community members, with a 4 piece jazz band. With a full house at All Saints Anglican Church, CSCA was back and energized for the future of The Christmas Cantata Project.
2019 - Love Came Down at Christmas by Joel Raney
For the first time since the Cantata’s inception, we decided to repeat a favourite work in 2019 – “Love Came Down at Christmas”, by Joel Raney. Back at All Saints Anglican Church in Foxtrap, our special guests were members of the Queen Elizabeth High School Choir under the direction of Heather Lewis. The event was a huge success with the most collected for the Food Bank at one of our concerts to date!
2018 - The Song Heard 'Round the World by Joseph M. Martin
We decided to take our concert to St. John’s for the first time in 2018. The choir performed for a full and enthusiastic audience once again at beautiful St. James United Church. The cantata was Joseph M. Martin’s “The Song Heard ‘Round the World” which focused around the theme of unity and love for all. We were delighted to share the evening with special guest participants from all over the world through the Association for New Canadians.
2017 - A Thrill of Hope by Joel Raney
Our 2017 concert took place once again at All Saints Anglican Church, except it wasn’t 2017! Despite the weather forcing us to postpone, our ‘Christmas in January’ concert was a great success. The cantata performed was “A Thrill of Hope” by Joel Raney.
2016 - Let the Whole World Sing by Joel Raney
In 2016, the concert took place once again at All Saints Anglican Church with a record total of over 100 singers and musicians taking part. The work performed was “Let The Whole World Sing” by Joel Raney. Special guests were the St. Peter’s Anglican Junior Choir, Upper Gullies, led by Vicki Greenslade.
2015 - Love Came Down at Christmas
In 2015, the concert took place at All Saints Anglican Church in CBS and saw both the choir and the orchestra grow. The work performed was “Love Came Down At Christmas” by Joel Raney. Special guests were the Avalon Boys Choir, led by Stephen Candow.
2014 -A New Birth, a New Beginning by John Purifoy
In 2014, the program was opened up to all interested members in the CBS and surrounding area who wished to participate. This was also our first Cantata with orchestra. The concert was held at Topsail United Church and the work performed was “A New Birth, A New Beginning” by John Purifoy. Soloists were Deirdre Costello and Fraser McCurdy.
2013 - When Love Was Born by John Rasley
In 2013, the Coastal Sounds Community Choir invited members of the Topsail United Choir Adult Choirs and the Anchormen Chorus to participate in the first Christmas Cantata Project. The choirs were joined by Afterglow, a six member a cappella ensemble, and performed “When Love Was Born” John Rasley and Frank Cross, accompanied by piano.