Choir's concert rings in Christmas

George Larson led the Sisters Community Choir in its Christmas performance. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Director George Larson and the Sisters Community Choir gave an early Christmas present last weekend to an appreciative audience filling the Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.

Topping the 90-minute show was the dazzling performance of classically trained pianist Seori Hiler.

"I started playing piano when I was two years old," said Hiler, who has trained at conservatories in Beijing and Paris on her way to Central Oregon.

As the audience arrived, they were warmly greeted with a duet of welcoming music from Hiler on piano and Bonnie Harvey on saxophone.

Hiler accompanied the outstanding choir throughout the performance. She opened the second half of the show with a lesser-known work of Brahms, Intermezzo 116.

Later, the talented musician played drums during the chorus rendition of the rhythmic African folk tune, "Jabula Jesu."

Other outstanding performances were Bonnie Harvey on soprano saxophone with a robust rendering of "We Three Kings" accompanied by Seori Hiler's piano.

Soprano Peggy Tehan's angelic voice captured perfectly Schubert's "Ave Maria" in her solo number.

The choir's enthusiastic interpretation of "The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy," a folk song from Trinidad, had the audience, choir and Director Larson keeping the rhythm.

"A Parting Blessing" was the final tune and George Larson reminded the audience that this Irish blessing and concert were dedicated to the memory of choir singer Pat Schaefer, who tragically died in an auto accident earlier this month.

Larson added a warming touch to the performance by leading the audience in several carols as intermission ended.