A look back at CBC Montreal's Christmas Sing-In 2016

The halls at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul were ringing with the sound of Christmas choral music on Sunday afternoonfor CBC Montreal's Christmas Sing-In.

The event, inits37thyear, was in support of West Island Community Shares the charity for this year's CBC funding drive.

The Sing-In event raised more than $9,000, while other fundraising efforts have brought in $12,000.

People can make donations until the end of the month.

• Donate now toCBC'sannual funding drive
• Why we chose West Island Community Shares as our charity this year

West Island Community Shares isa group that distributes funding to 40 non-profit groups in the West Island area of Greater Montreal.

Attendees lined up outside the church in subzero temperatures to get their wristbands at noon.

Hundreds waited in line along Sherbrooke Street West and on RedpathStreet as the wristbands were distributed.

Attendees said they are drawn to the sense of community as much as the music at the annual Sing-In.

"The quality of the music is superb," said Maura McKeon.

She added that it's the sense of community and Christmas spirit that's kept her coming back to the Sing-In every year for almost 30 years.

Some Sing-In newbiessaid they wanted to stop by because it seemed like a nice holiday event to attend.

"It's one of the only festive things we're doing besides shopping," first-time attendee Sarah Mitchell said.

For anyone who couldn't attend, the Sing-In will be available for streaming on CBCMusic.ca on Dec. 16. It will also be airedon a holiday music special hosted byBen Heppner onRadio 2on Dec. 18.

You'llget one more chance to hear the Sing-In onDec. 25 with two different broadcasts on CBC Radio2 (1 p.m.) and CBC Radio One (9 p.m.).