It's not a contest, but for the 59th year an open invitation has gone out to all musical talents in the community to be part of the Estevan Rotary Club's annual Carol Festival.
This Sunday's festival will be a platform for 10 acts who will perform a number of Christmas songs as a fundraiser for local band programs and a way to get people into the singing season. Gloria Chicoine is the chair of the Carol Festival committee for the club and has been organizing this event almost as long as she's been a member. It's her seventh year doing the Christmas event and her eighth with the club.
Chicoine said she always enjoys doing it, and each year they eventually have enough groups to fill out the program. There are some scheduling conflicts because it's a very busy time of year, but they hold the event at the same time each year so it's easier for people to plan around.
"It takes a bit to find enough people, but it's always a go," said Chicoine.
She said there are many regular acts, and when they can't make the event, they are always sure to mark it off for the following year.
"There are lots groups who have been invited, and they all want to do everything, but they can't."
That just keeps things fresh every year, and she noted they have only three or four returning acts from last year. That leaves lots of opportunity for new performers to put on a show.
The performances will once again be held in St. Paul's United Church, which Chicoine said is a great venue, particularly for organizing the groups because there are different classrooms that she can assign to each one. That gives the groups space to for any preparation they would like to do before the show.
This year's show will include a trumpet trio, the Northwest/Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Chorus and the Hill View Manor Choir. Chicoine is excited to have the Northwest/Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Chorus, a collaboration between southeast Saskatchewan and northwest North Dakota who performed in Estevan recently. She also noted this will be the first year that the chorus has been a part of this event and there is also a seniors' choir from Hill View Manor, one of the retirement homes in the city.
Chicoine said she sends out an open invitation to all musical groups in the community and all are welcome to perform a couple of numbers. If a new group comes to town, she said she will send them an invitation as well.
She noted the variety of acts with performers including vocal choirs as well as instrumentals, like the trumpet trio.
They show also includes community singing part way through to get the audience involved. Attendees are looking to get into the holiday spirit and with the ensemble groups singing Christmas classics and other seasonal tunes, it's easy to get into the mood.
Chicoine said, "It's always very uplifting. The reason we do it is entirely for the community, and as a fundraiser for local bands."
The festival raises funds for four band programs: the Estevan Comprehensive School band, rural schools band, public schools junior band and separate schools band. Donations will be accepted for those attending the performances.
The performances at St. Paul's United Church begin with the 6:45 p.m. prelude on Dec. 11.
