Thank you for putting on this home based composer and musician. Noel Fudge selected many Canadian songs and the story he had woven through the music was entertaining. Of course, OSO was fabulous, as usual, but having the chorus was lovely. A round of applause - CW

We both absolutely enjoyed the concert last night. The variety of music, the stories, the chorus, backdrops, orchestra and the dynamic talented duo leading the program made for a magical evening - NW

Wonderful - loved it all, the variety of music and the choir was glorious! - KA

Yes it was a very enjoyable evening. Martine was the pleasant surprise with her beautiful voice and wonderful personality. The OSO choral singers were fantastic. Overall great performance. -BH

Regular subscriber for 24 years The concert was fabulous! The first half was a bit slow to warm up but was a good introduction to this terrific couple. Thanks for this well-done diversion from the usual classical fare, and was double impressive with the OSO symphony and chorus being an integral part of the show. -CAG

It was terrific. A blend of very talented performers, musicians and choir. Enjoyed every minute of it. Have Freya back in the future! - JB

We attended their concert last night and enjoyed it so much. WHAT TALENT!! PLEASE pass along our sincere thanks for a wonderful concert, so joyous. The Symphony and choir were excellent. We are so lucky to have such talent in our city. Very sincerely D&RB

I did not think but We LOVED it 😍 thank you!!!!💕❤️🥰 - EO

The evening was amazing. Exceeded all expectations, The Okanagan Choir were the icing on the cake. It was a great evening; the choice of music was different and made for a great change. Two very talented people who put an enormous amount of time and effort into the arrangement and performance. I am sure most of the audience would return for another show. - MH

We enjoyed the concert. I was expecting being so close to Christmas a good mixture of Christmas songs. The hosts are very talented people but I thought they didn’t quite fit the theme of the evening. The choir was wonderful as was the orchestra. Thank you for a lovely evening. - EC

We wanted to reach out to you and express our appreciation for the performance today in Penticton. It was wonderful. We would strongly support performances such as this with the OSO. Thank you so much for arranging this performance. - JS & VM

I so enjoyed the evening with Martine Denbok, Noel Fudge, the OSO Chorus and Symphony. I was expecting a performance reflecting winter and perhaps the solstice and it was that and more! I must say the performance was unexpected as well but in the best way possible. I also so appreciated the love and respect shown by all the performers. Thank you to all who were involved in this evening - we need more of this in Kelowna!! - LY

I loved the performance and had a great experience. It was uplifting, charming, heart warming. A beautiful blend of folk, classical music and chorus. Martine denBok did a fantastic job at conducting the ensemble. Also, I enjoyed very much listening to the stories and compositions of her partner Noel Fudge. I certainly hope that they will be back again next year to present another performance in collaboration with the OSO. MV

Thank you very much for this delightful departure from the usual. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the challenging arrangements of music to create a beautiful blend of orchestra and choir. I hope we see and hear more of this. - NF

The concert was terrific. Such imagination and energy. - SH

Just had to write and say what a fabulous concert this was! I enjoyed it hugely and hope that Martine and Noel will be back to put on another show. They did such an excellent job of providing a varied programme and their marvellous energy carried the audience with them every step of the way. Thanks for putting it on! - JA

The concert was amazing and so enjoyable. Freya and Noel were so skilled and the composed music by Noel was beautiful. We are so lucky to have them nearby and hope they will return. I took the whole family and the young ones 14 and 12 thought it was perfect, one plays the guitar and he particularly enjoyed it. Thank you for including them and hope to see them again. Cheers. - DB

What a wonderful way to approach the holiday season and to close out 2025. Martine and Noel are a dynamic duo and their inclusion in the OSO and Choir was a perfect fit. A nice variation on the OSO. - BT

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Freya concert. It was joyous and intimate and refreshing. Martine’s violin presence on stage caught our eye ever since we started our OSO subscription several years ago. During this performance, it was a delight to hear her beautiful singing voice and watch her take such pleasure in conducting and managing the whole evening. Oh, and we enjoyed Noel as well! - M&GC

Yesterday afternoon’s concert in Penticton with Freya (our granddaughter is Freja!) was absolutely outstanding. What a talented duo and what a wonderful concert they put together. We need more of this type of performance, especially if a younger generation is to attend. There were several families that I saw with young children in tow and it was good to see! Fabulous performance! Merry Christmas. - SP

We attended the matinee concert in Penticton yesterday and we were very impressed with the performance. We would love to see this collaboration with the OSO and Freya next year. It was a moving and memorable experience! - JL & RS

One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. Great music and such talented musicians. The choir was fabulous. Please do again. - BL

I just wanted to reach out to say how much I enjoyed last night’s concert in Penticton. It was so different from what I might have expected and a refreshing and highly entertaining performance. The genuine joy of music came through from all the musicians and singers on stage and was clearly infectious to the audience. I hope you will bring Freya back for more performances. Thank you - Happy Holidays! - MT

Kay and I thoroughly enjoyed Freya's concert which was low key, humble, and representative of the season. We both love choral music and each Xmas concert we look forward to the OSO choir. Many thanks -M&KT

What a wonderful evening of very talented artists. Only feedback I would have they were a bit heavy on promoting their merchandise. - VG

The entire program was amazing! I loved every note of it and was especially blown away by the Encore. Wow! Thank you OSO! I have been a subscriber since 1997 and am looking forward to 2026 and Julian Pellicano. Merry Christmas to you all! - PG

Thanks to the OSO for a great Christmas show that had a bit of everything - folk, classical and choral. Well done! My favourite OSO Christmas show is still a few years back when you brought in the Tenor from Vancouver Island. He filled the whole theatre with his spectacular renditions of Christmas Classics. Now that was a show to remember!! Merry Christmas! Keep up your good work. - JC

We really enjoyed that performance. Martine and Noel organized a great mix with the orchestra and choir and, of course, the quality of the musicians was what we have come to expect. I hope this will encourage other members of the orchestra to organize their own presentations to show their talents. I still fondly remember when Audrey Patterson challenged the guest trumpeter in dueling trumpets. - S&BJ

What a warm, intimate show by Freya and OSO. Gwen and I were so impressed and emotional after the show… definitely touched the heart of the season. And very happy to have shared the experience with you ❤️. - V&G

My friend and I – and many others around us, thoroughly enjoyed the Song for a Winter’s Night concert. It was an afternoon of happy music, some quite recognisable, some new which had us smiling, foot tapping – hand clapping on cue! – and generally feeling cheerful. Thank you to Martine and Noel and OSO musicians and chorus for a professional, fun-filled, entertaining time. Yes, we are both attending the February concert. - AS

This concert was WONDERFUL. I hope it was recorded for archives, it would be worth replaying many times and enjoying more each time. My thanks to Martine and Noel for being so professional and their heart warming performance, and to the rest of the Symphony players and chorus. -JB

I thoroughly enjoyed the concert and the chat time. We are fortunate to have those two, talented Canadians Martine, plays the Violin, sings and directs the Orchestra and Choir. Really! Noel Fudge composer /guitarist, is special. They make a beautiful couple of music. Audience participation in clapping of hands and singing “Alleuiha “ was special. I even purchased their CD Attending the Symphony at 2 p.m. was perfect timing - MP

Loved it. Appreciated the lack of too much tradition and the musical spontaneity of all participants. Martine den Bok and Noel Fudge, together with the orchestra, deserved standing acclaim. - DW

That was a perfect concert what talent Martine and Noel both have. Noel's arrangements for Misirlou and Songs for a winter night was so sentimental for me. And of course Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah perfect. Looking forward to February and March concerts. Happy holidays to you all. - H

Interesting concert. I’d go see them again. It was not what I expected. I thought the choir was fantastic. They sang their hearts out. - SD

One of the most moving and engaging concerts I have had the privilege to witnessing! I had tears at the end, standing and singing Hallelujah. - CS

Many of my family, friends and acquaintances attended the Vernon production and were blown away with the concert! Exciting! Unique! Uplifting! Inspiring! were some of their heartfelt feelings regarding the program. They loved the music selections, their arrangements and they LOVED Martine and Noel's warm connection and interaction with the orchestra, chorus and the audience! It was magical! Hope to see and hear more of these kinds of concerts! - MM

My wife Ruth and I really enjoyed the concert with Martine denBok and Noel Fudge. We did not expect this type of concert but it grew on us as these two performers, with the OSO players, moved into the full program. Fantasia on Greensleeves, River and Song for a Winter's Night were particular favourites of mine. I believe we have now moved away from concerts where the program is devoted to timeless seasonal favourites. We would give this performance an A+.  RD

We thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon in Vernon. While a few songs were a bit hokey (e.g. Brown shag carpet) this didn't detract at all from the overall experience. What I liked best...everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves! I loved the chemistry between Martine and Noel, and between them and the OSO players, and between Martine and the choir. The choir was really well prepared--it was a pleasure to watch the singers' faces because they weren't buried in their music! I loved the finale, and being invited to sing along in the Alleluia chorus. I wished we could have kept singing, even one more repeat! People around me were improvising harmonies and it was a fabulous immersive experience. Thank you for programming this concert. I hope to see and hear Freya again. Merry Christmas! - JA

The evening that I spent with Martine den Bok and company was incredible. Full of life, beautiful music and many emotions. It was a special concert for sure. I hope that you will bring her back again soon or next December. Concerts like her are far and few between the regular classic music. Thank you! - MN

This was a sensational evening of music from talented artists. It was truly a great pre-Christmas concert. Over my years of supporting OSO, I have found that the Christmas concert is usually the most fun, bringing performers from many types of music. The talent of these 2 artists is amazing. All around me, people were exclaiming about the concert. Please, let us hear more from Freya. - DB

This was an exceptional concert (and the size of the afternoon audience was a huge treat to see)! “Freya” - along with the Symphony Chorus - were a wonderful combination but - full disclosure (j!!) I admit to enjoying the second half, after Intermission, as the works were all so familiar … and I confess to humming along very very quietly with at least two pieces! I was on a real ‘high’ leaving the PAC at the end of the performance, happy to see so many familiar faces in the lobby and offering a chance to pass on Season’s Greetings. Time to get my Christmas Eve dinner on the go … with a glass of good robust red wine … Cheers to all - ESS

We so enjoyed the entire show. The talent of Noal Fudge was enjoyable to watch. It was the first time we saw the amazing skills of the orchestra musicians and they were great. - HW

Virginia Dansereau I would like to offer kudos for the absolutely mesmerizing performance Freya, along with the OSO and the Okanagan Chorus, presented in December. I, and my two companions, are still talking about it. - VD