Sparkling concert given by Sisters Choir

Director George Larson leads the Sisters Community Choir.

Sisters Community Choir treated local residents to an early Christmas present last weekend with their first concert of the season.

Led by new Director George Larson of Bend, the 15-member group gave outstanding performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters.

Starting their program with a 13th Century selection "Of the Father's Love Begotten" in Latin, arranged by Central Oregon's Clyde Thompson, was most appropriate for the season. Next came "Ave Maria" arranged by Thomas Luis de Victoria in the 16th Century.

The well-rounded show also presented "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," arranged by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. Parker will be performing in Bend early in March.

After a brief intermission, choir member Elizabeth Renner conducted "Grant Us Peace" with the group.

Other show highlights included soprano Peggy Tehan in two solo numbers, "Mary Had a Baby" and "Rock Him in the Manger." The former was arranged by William Dawson who is well known for his Negro spirituals, and the latter by Kirby Shaw, who excels at putting "rock" into his arrangements.

These concert performances were enhanced by the excellent acoustics provided at the Episcopal Church.

One of the new additions added by Director Larson this year was to have a carol sing-a-long. The audience joined the chorus in several popular songs of the season.

The nine-woman, six-man choir was ably accompanied by Jane Moore.

Sopranos Helen Condon, Winnie Givot, Pat Schafer, and Peggy Tehan; Altos Joyce Brown, Diane Jacobsen, Judy Partch, Elizabeth Renner and Nancy Scharf; Tenors Mel Miles and Lindsay Simmons; Basses Roger Fairfield, Si Simonsen, Emil Smith and Martin Winch offered excellent performances.

The winter performance ended with an old Irish tune, "Parting Blessing," performed by the choir.