Magical Voices sing out in Sisters

Angels of all ages were heard on high Sunday night at the 14th annual Magical Voices of Christmas concert held at the Sisters High School Auditorium. A little ice and snow were no obstacle for hundreds of residents when it came to spirited support of local school kids cheerily delivering yuletide favorites in a program entitled "A World Of Christmas."

The special holiday event was founded in 1997 by Rotary Club sponsor Jim Craig to spark seasonal goodwill and showcase the incredible wealth of musical talent found here in Sisters.

Xavier West, 8, fidgeted before curtain time in anticipation of the show.

"My two sisters are in the choir and I'm excited to hear them sing. It took them two hours to get dressed tonight," he said.

The Sisters Elementary School "Rhythm Wranglers" opened things up with their animated version of "Jingle Bells" and a dance number called "Jinglebell Boogie" as parents snapped photos and recorded their entertaining performance from the theater wings.

Janelle Johnson sang a soulful rendition of "The Christmas Song," conjuring up visions of chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

"This is my favorite Christmas song so I hope you guys enjoy it," she declared.

Pageant emcee Scott Pillar thanked the filled hall for their graciousness and support and encouraged everyone to "sit back, relax and release your inner Scrooges."

The seventh and eighth grade choir, under the direction of Rick Johnson, sent the audience "Caroling, Caroling," before Cammi Benson offered a heartfelt piano piece called "Sonatina."

Based in Bend, the Gospel Choir of the Cascades, a group of local and regional music lovers, arrived in depleted force due to road conditions. Director Julie Hanney asked for assistance from the audience to fill out the congregation as they belted out a resonant version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain," that shook tinsel from the trees.

"My husband was clapping so hard his wedding ring just flew off his hand," joked Hanney.

Intermission had crowds spilling out into the lobby for a photo-op with Santa Claus, music, coffee, hot cider and a veritable banquet of Christmas cookies provided by Sisters' Rotary

Club.

Claire Schnell, 10, was a member of the fifth and sixth grade choir and felt good about her group's one song, "Let It Snow."

"I think it went pretty well," she said. "We practiced for about two months. I was really nervous up there on stage and looking out at all those people. It seemed like it went by so slow."

The second half of the program was highlighted by two quiet carols by the Sisters High School Choir and a tight, innovative set by the Sisters High School Jazz Combo that went down smooth as mulled cider.

Central Oregon Irish Dancers kicked it up a notch and high-stepped, tap-danced and jigged their way across the stage in silver tiaras and black dresses decorated with sashes of Christmas green and red.

The evening concluded with a sing-a-long, luring the beloved St. Nick out to center stage and igniting a passionate response from the cheering crowd.

Sisters' Helen Mackenstadt summarized the engaging night while snacking on an iced cookie.

"It's a wonderful time of year to have it. We're all so blessed to have this here in Sisters. We try to come every year," she said. "And the cookies are very good too. I couldn't pass them up."