Sisters Community Choir to perform annual Christmas concert

Now in its 16th season, the Community Choir of Sisters is set for its annual Christmas concert, with two performances this weekend.

The choir has been rehearsing since September under the direction of George Larson, the choir's director for the past eight years. Larson described the program as "an eclectic mix of classical and popular, sacred and secular music of the season."

Highlights include two pieces alluding to the story of the angel Gabriel's appearance to Mary, mother of Jesus. The first, "Nova, Nova," is based on a 15th-century manuscript, but Larson describes the arrangement as "distinctly modern yet evoking a medieval atmosphere." The second, Larson said, is "Magnificat, the famous biblical text in a rock-and-roll setting by Jackson Berkey of Manheim Steamroller fame." Berkey himself sought to evoke elements of Baroque and Twentieth Century jazz in this impressive piece.

One special selection is the hauntingly beautiful "Carol from an Irish Cabin," by Dale Wood, with a distinctly Irish flavor.

Also featured are three familiar Christmas carol texts set to original music by Don McAfee and Richard Lamb. In all, eleven major selections combine to deliver a mixture of what one might expect from a Christmas concert, but with some unexpected musical treats, as well. As one example, Larson cites what he refers to as a "rollicking arrangement" of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," which delivers even more whimsy to an already whimsical piece.

Larson is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Music and studied conducting with Helmuth Rilling, Music Director of the Oregon Bach Festival and the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany. Accompanying the choir is Rebecca Smith, pianist and harpist.

The concert will include an interlude before intermission, with solo and ensemble performances, and will conclude with audience participation in a holiday sing-along featuring familiar carols.

The choir will perform on Saturday, December 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 21, at 2 p.m. Both performances will be at Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration on Brooks Camp Road at the western edge of Sisters.