Singing of Christmas in Sisters

For the past eight years, retired mezzo soprano Irene Liden has been waving her hands directing the talents of the assorted sopranos, altos, tenors and basses who make up the 50+ voices of the Sisters High Desert Chorale - and they love it!

Tenor Mel Miles began practicing with the Sisters Community Choir for its 1995 Christmas concert under the direction of Forrest Daniel, who had just retired as head of COCC's vocal music studies. Looking back, he had this to say:

"The earlier years of the Sisters choir consisted of about 18 members, and the choral program was offered as a credit class under COCC auspices.

"Rehearsals and concerts took place at the Sisters (Episcopal) Church of The Transfiguration, and later on at the Sisters Mormon Church. Today, three or four of the original members continue to sing in the Sisters High Desert Chorale, and oh, what fun we have."

Liden began directing the newly named Sisters High Desert Chorale in 2007, rehearsing Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, and the Sisters Country residents have enjoyed the Christmas and spring concerts ever since.

This holiday season's performances will take place at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy., on Friday night, December 18, at 7 p.m., and another on Sunday afternoon, December 20, at 2:30 p.m.

The chorale will, among several pieces of music, offer Ruth Elaine Schram's "Shalom, Pacem, Peace," sung in Latin, Hebrew and English. In addition to these three languages, another offering written by Alex Anderson and arranged by Jay Althouse, "Mele Kalikimaka" a Hawaiian Christmas greeting, will be sung in English and Polynesian languages.

Trisha Liddell of Sisters and master musician Lola Knox will be accompanying the chorale on flutes, and on another piece Knox will be playing the recorder with the chorale. Knox will also accompany the chorale on percussion when they perform the English Carol, "My Dancing Day." The Sisters Bell Choir, also directed by Knox, will be accompanying the chorale on three selections.

Soprano Janie Buell, who has been singing with the chorale for close to eight years, had this to say about her experiences:

"I love singing with the chorale family. Irene, Lola, and Donna do all they can to bring great music to our concerts. They provide the bell choir, children's choir and various instrumentalists to ensure it is a wonderful experience for the chorale and the audience.

"We are fortunate to have a wonderful director who makes every rehearsal and performance a fantastic experience. Her enthusiasm for making music is contagious."

The chorale will also perform variations on several traditional Christmas carols. Knox's Sisters Children's Choir will be singing special music, and the audience will have the opportunity to sing traditional carols with all the performers.

The concerts are free and, as usual, a variety of home-made goodies will be offered at intermission - to sweeten the sounds of Christmas.