When you ask Saskatchewan country musician Donny Parenteau the difference between a fiddle and a violin he laughs.

“About $40,000,” jokes Parenteau. “Really, there’s no difference between the instruments. It’s how you play the music. Once you understand how versatile the instrument is, the barriers between classical music and what I play just melt away.”

“It’s a dream come true and to share it with my family, there’s nothing better.”

Although he’s made a career as a country musician, Parenteau’s always secretly wished to perform with an orchestra. Wishes do come true as Parenteau will be the featured artist in the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops at TCU Place. His performance will include I Love Christmas, an original tune Parenteau recorded nearly 15 years ago with the help of his baby girl.

Julianna and Donny Parenteau Christmas 2009. (Photo Provided)

“Julianna came into the studio with me and her little giggle at the end of the song just makes it,” Parenteau says. “This concert is full circle for me because Julianna will be in the audience to hear the orchestral version. It’s a dream come true and to share it with my family, there’s nothing better.”

The concert will include holiday classics and special guest appearances including the return of Garry Gable in his reading of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and a rendition of the iconic theme song. The University of Saskatchewan Chorus and Aurora Voce will also raise their voices in this concert for the whole family.

Spencer McKnight will be a featured vocalist in Handel’s Messiah and Sing-Along Messiah. (Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra)

The Christmas festivities don’t end with Holiday Pops, the SSO will celebrate 110 years of performance of Handel’s Messiah and the
Sing-Along Messiah at Knox United Church. The performance will include the SSO Chorus led by Duff Warkentin along with guest soloists Casey Penden, Oli Gusselle, Spencer McKnight and Brenden Friesen.

“Not everyone is able to have a Merry Christmas, it’s a complicated time for some,” says SSO CEO and Creative Producer Mark Turner. “This holiday music making is really about sharing joy, creating a sense of hope through music. It’s the best part of what we do.”

For Parenteau, performances like these make the holidays special.

“I always find people, if they really enjoy Christmas music, it’s because it reminds them of a happy time in their childhood,” Parenteau says. “I hope this performance helps the audience get into the Christmas spirit.”