Small ensembles, soloists, new arrangements of traditional songs and sing-along caroling are all part of the Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers’ Christmas concerts, open to everyone this weekend.
Founding director Michael Rivers will lead the 18-voice choir in two matinees:
■ 3 p.m. Saturday at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim.
■ 3 p.m. Sunday at the Port Angeles Senior & Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
Along with music that’s brand-new for these concerts, the men will sing favorite songs from past years, baritone Michael Craig promises.
To add even more, Scott Anders of Port Angeles, now a music student at Shoreline Community College, will play Bach’s Prelude No. 21, trombone soloist Mike McBride and the choir’s pianist, Penny Hall, will offer “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and oboist John Zener will join the choir for “Love Came Down at Christmas.”
Both concerts bring three original arrangements from Rivers: “Away in a Manger,” “Joy to the World” and, Craig added, a special version of “Silent Night.”
Audience sing-along
Anders will come back to help with the audience sing-along, which will go from “What Child Is This?” and “O Holy Night” to “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
As ever, the singers will have Karen Coles providing sign-language interpretation at both performances.
To find out more about the ecumenical choir, its CDs and its forthcoming concerts, visit www.pmgospelsingers.com.
________
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
