By Richard Bolland
Special to The PREVIEW
It may be August and the weather is still warm, but your fellow Pagosans are getting ready to begin rehearsals for the annual Pagosa Springs Choral Society’s (PSCS) Christmas choir concerts. You are invited to combine your voice with those of your neighbors to make the joy of the Christmas season even more joyous.
The first rehearsal is scheduled for Sept. 11, with registration beginning at 6 p.m. followed by our first rehearsal from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Rehearsals will continue every Tuesday until the concerts (except for Thanksgiving week) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Musical selections are a blend of both sacred and seasonal Christmas music with both accompanied and a cappella portions of the program being performed in the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium.
The concert dates will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 2 beginning at 4 p.m.
Some of the selections to be performed are: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Fum, Fum, Fum Fantasia,” “Shepherd’s Joy” and George Frideric Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” There will also be a select jazz ensemble that will present two additional selections.
Members of the jazz ensemble are selected from the members of the choir by audition.
Each participating choir member is asked to pay a $20 fee to defray the cost of the music.
Once again, the PSCS is pleased to announce that Dan Burch, music director at Pagosa Springs High School, will direct the choir and Venita Burch will serve as accompanist for the choir.
Participation in the Christmas choir is open to all members of the community. Being able to sing helps. Being part of such a community effort will help to make your Christmas holiday even more special.
