Submitted by Monika Moulin
OAKHURST – For the sixth consecutive year, upwards of 50 singers from local area church choirs will come together for a beautiful Christmas program, including choristers from New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, and others.
Two performances on will be held on Sunday, Dec. 13, at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church — one at 4 p.m. and the later one starting at 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 39696 Highway 41 just south of Oakhurst.
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n addition to a variety of choral numbers, the program will feature fine instrumentalists from across the Mountain Area, on instruments including cello, violin, flute, organ and more. Past years’ presentations were mostly standing room only, despite inclement weather.
In a charming twist on tradition, the talented musicians are varying the program this year by presenting a compendium of selected musical pieces celebrating the theme “God’s Promises Fulfilled.” The audience is encouraged to join in on some of the familiar songs of the season, such as the majestic “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” which will include all in attendance plus the full community-based chorus, all the instrumentalists, and also a special duet-acccompaniment featuring the grand piano and the organ. Other carols the audience will be able to join-in on include “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Silent Night,” “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” and ” We Three Kings.”
As ever, admission is free, and an offering will be taken to help cover expenses.
Conducting duties for the concert will be shared by Susan Moore from Oakhurst Lutheran Church, Monika Moulin from New Community United Methodist Church and Cathy Walker, from Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, who serves as the event’s chief organizer. Pianists lending their accompanist skills include Mary Posluch and Jackie Byers.
Noted local cellist Boris Nixon will be featured in a haunting choral setting of ancient tune “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” Flutist and local lavender-crafts aficionado Sandra Schaefer lends musical interest to “Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness.” Child soprano Julia Noble will provide the traditional solo-voice opening verse of “Once in Royal David’s City,” which is — in Church of England congregations and cathedrals the world over — the first piece in any traditional Christmastime Festival of Lessons and Carols.
Talented violinist Sarah Ottley will play “The King of Glory.” Selections from Haendel’s beloved Messiah will be offered, including local soprano Susan Moore singing “He Shall Feed His Flock.” Bree Noble joins the chorus as soloist on “Have You Heard the News?”Local favorites, musicians Kirk and Monika Moulin will provide a special jazz version of “Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas,” and will be featured in the finale, a version of “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”
Additionally, the chorus will offer “Worthy is the Lamb” and the always-popular “Hallelujah Chorus,” on which the audience will of course be invited to participate, along with all the musicians.
Monika Moulin is Director of Music at New Community United Methodist Church/Oakhurst
