Canadian Folk Music Award-winning duo James Hill (ukulele and vocals) and Anne Janelle (cello and vocals) have been enchanting audiences across Canada with their current tour, The Midnight Clear, an evening of reimagined Christmas carols, original winter songs, and musical magic.
The unique concert 鈥� drawing on the pair's critically acclaimed album, The Midnight Clear 鈥� seamlessly weaves traditional and contemporary sounds, creating a festive atmosphere that speaks to the season鈥檚 deep-rooted traditions and present-day reverberations.
And it's coming to Peninsula United Church, 2736 127 St., in South 性视界传媒 at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.
The concert follows an appearance by the duo Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St., Vancouver).
性视界传媒 is also among select cities where the duo will also host an exclusive workshop for local singers and ukulele players, following on their Uke Heads project in which some 165 ukulele players and singers participated, online, in a two-year process of rehearsing and recording.
Including 10 original compositions by the virtuosic and ever-experimental Hill, the album Uke Heads challenges common assumptions about what the instrument can do 鈥� ranging from fuzz-heavy rock, to original folk accents and even some jazz.
"We are doing a Uke Heads-inspired workshop on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at Peninsula United Church called 'The Midnight Clear Experience' where folks will learn some tunes from the evening concert with the option to join us live on stage on the 15th," Janelle said.
Participants will have the chance to learn three songs with Hill and Janelle, then join them on stage for a special performance segment the following evening.
"This unique feature of the tour reflects our commitment to community and musical inclusivity, inviting local audiences to become part of the performance itself," Janelle noted.
For this concert, Hill and Janelle will also be joined by the Igneous Brass Quintet, offering extra warmth to the sound of this holiday special.
The upcoming Lower Mainland concerts are something of a homecoming for Hill, formerly a Langley resident, and Janelle, who originally hails from South 性视界传媒-White Rock, where she was once a member of Carla and Harold Birston's Semiahmoo Strings youth orchestra.
In fact, she said, the Christ Church Cathedral concert will feature 鈥� as special guests 鈥� the Birston-led Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music Sinfonietta.
"So, for me, it's full circle with Harold and Carla," she said.
Hill and Janelle have won accolades 鈥� and a dedicated following across Canada, and worldwide 鈥� with their signature innovative blend of folk, classical, and contemporary sounds.
Known for a seamless musical partnership and evocative performances, the duo brings a refreshing take to traditional music while creating original compositions that resonate deeply with audiences. Together, they continue to captivate listeners worldwide, earning awards and accolades across Canada and beyond.
Celebrating the first anniversary of their album The Midnight Clear, this tour brings to life Hill and Janelle鈥檚 lush interpretations of beloved carols and newly-composed winter songs.
Between Janelle鈥檚 stirring reimagining of Joy to the World, Hill's intimate rendition of Silent Night, and originals like On a Cold Winter鈥檚 Night and Golden Boys, the album is intended as a musical journey that encompasses both orchestral heights and serene simplicity.
In each performance, Hill and Janelle honour the holiday tradition but also take care to introduce new compositions inspired by the winter landscape and the season鈥檚 spirit, blending sounds of the past with the fresh narratives of today.
"More than just a concert or an album; it鈥檚 a journey into the heart of the holiday season," Janelle said.
"(Our) music is an invitation to reflect on what it means to keep traditions alive in an ever-changing world. How do we honour the heritage of Christmas while staying true to today鈥檚 world? How can music remind us of the past yet guide us ever-onward?
"This tour embodies these questions with one foot in the past and the other rooted in the present, making The Midnight Clear a bridge between eras and a beautiful reminder of the peace and connection that the holidays can bring."
For all tour details and tickets, visit
