Cathedral Arts is pleased to announce that its Annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 8th, 2012, will serve to raise awareness and provide funds to support the work of Centre 454, an organization that provides drop-in support services for individuals who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness (www.centre454.ca), and The Well-La Source, a Day Program for women and women with children (www.the-well.ca).  

Over the years, Cathedral Arts has supported special causes as part of its outreach activities at its Christmas and other concerts. These have included: the Kiwanis Precious Minds Read-a-thon; the Rotary Centennial Playground for Children of all Abilities at Brewer Park; Youth Drug Addiction and Project S.T.E.P.; and, homelessness.  

Our December 8th concert is proudly featuring award-winning Haitian-born soprano, Marie-Josée Lord, who returns to Cathedral Arts by popular demand after her magnificent performance last year, and the Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa Girls’ Choir, directed by the Cathedral’s new Associate Director of Music, James Calkin.  

Marie-Josée Lord studied in Italy and took master classes with Edouardo Müller. She made her professional debut in 2003, singing Liù in Puccini’s “Turandot” at Opéra de Québec. In 2005, Marie-Josée Lord received the Prix d Excellence de la Culture, awarded by the Fondation de l’Opéra de Québec, and was selected to represent Canada at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition (www.mariejoseelord.com).  

This past summer, the Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa Girls’ Choir completed a grand performance tour of the United Kingdom and Belgium, which included celebrated performances at Canterbury Cathedral and in Ypres.  

Mrs. Catherine Chapman, the spouse of Bishop John Chapman, is helping to champion this event.