Sisters Chorale sets debut performance

In what might be billed as a "World Premiere," the Sisters High Desert Chorale will be delivering its inaugural performances this weekend in the form of a free holiday concert. The concerts will feature a holiday mixture of traditional, folk, jazz and gospel music.

The Chorale was formed just this year around a core of about 20 Sisters singers. The new group is the brainchild of Irene Liden, who moved to Sisters only a few years ago. Liden has a degree in Voice/Opera Performance from the Eastman School Of Music and a Masters from the University of Southern California. She is Professor Emeritus of San Antonio College, where she taught voice, music theory, and choir ensembles.

When asked about her move to Sisters, Liden said, "I'd been vacationing and hiking here for years. I love the area, and Oregon is such a healthy state. I like that." As to starting a new singing group, Liden alluded to the long established Sisters Community Choir and said, "Well, just as there's more than one art gallery in town, the more opportunity there is for the community to enjoy music the better it is for us all."

In addition to traditional carols, featured selections will include "African Noel," "Dona Nobis Pacem" sung in a round, and a "very jazzy" version of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." Also featured will be the Sisters High Desert Chimes, a recently formed bell choir that also performed at the Sisters Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the Sisters Rotary "Voices of Christmas" program. The bell choir, directed by Lola Knox, will perform three traditional Christmas pieces at the concert.

The concerts will be held Saturday, December 13, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 14, at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 386 N. Fir St. in Sisters. Concerts are free to the public and refreshments will be served.

Already in the works for the future are a spring concert with Broadway, jazz and gospel selections, and a Fourth of July patriotic concert.

Liden also wants the community to know that the Chorale is very open to new participants. To inquire call 549-1037.