Chorale to present free holiday concerts

In a holiday tradition that now dates back 20 years, Sisters singers will enrich the community's holiday season with free Christmas concerts on Friday, December 10, and Sunday, December 12. Under the direction of Irene Liden, the Sisters Chorale, a community chorus of 58 singers, will perform a mix of classical, contemporary, gospel, and traditional Christmas music.

The concert begins with "On This Day Earth Shall Ring," a medieval carol first published in 1582. The piece will be accompanied by guest musicians on flute, bells, and recorders. The term "carol" is middle-English and originally described dance songs and festival processions beginning in the 12th century. The program will continue with a contemporary Norwegian carol (in English) and several English Noels.

A contemporary piece to be performed, that the audience may not be familiar with, is "Sure on This Shining Night." One of a group of nocturnes, this work was written by Morten Lauridsen, who was raised in Oregon and has been designated an "American Choral Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts. Lauridsen now resides in Los Angeles and teaches at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

Holiday selections will also be performed by the newly formed Sisters recorder group, Renaissance Sisters, and by the Sisters High Desert Bell Choir, both directed by Lola Knox. Surprise guest soloists will also be participating in the concerts, along with the local singing group, The Forefathers; and Sisters pianist Adele McCready will perform on the grand piano.

The second half of the performances will feature "Christmas Day," a familiar "choral fantasy" by Gustav Holst, two gospel numbers, "White Christmas," and the "Sleigh Bells" medley - a montage of three songs, including "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson, "Button Up Your Overcoat" by Ray Henderson, and "Winter Wonderland," written by Felix Bernard in 1934 when he saw New York's Central Park covered in snow.

As a finale, the choir will perform the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah." Audience participation in this final piece is encouraged, and concert-goers are reminded that it is traditional to stand during the singing of this monumental choral achievement.

Tradition has it that, in the course of the first London performance of "Messiah," King George II stood up during this chorus. The audience followed suit because protocol required that when a king or queen stands, everyone in the monarch's presence is also expected to stand. Nearly three centuries later, the tradition continues.

Both concerts this season will be presented at Sisters Community Church, located on the McKenzie Highway, just east of Sisters Middle School. The Friday concert, on December 10, will be held at 7 p.m., and the Sunday, December 12 concert will be presented at 2:30 p.m. The concerts are free to all, and cookies and refreshments will be served.

The Sisters Chorale is an all-volunteer, non-audition choir open to all singers of all ages. For further information, contact Irene Liden at 541-549-1037 or liden

[email protected] Additional details are available at http://www.sisterschorale.com.