NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Dec. 13.
PORT TOWNSEND — The Wild Rose Chorale, the Port Townsend Youth Chorus, the Community Bell Choir and members of Ukuleles United will get together for concerts tonight and Sunday afternoon at First Presbyterian Church, 1111 Franklin St.
The singers and players will start at 7 p.m. tonight and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is a suggested $12 donation at the door.
“So many people have said that this concert signals the beginning of the season for them,” said JES Schumacher, a Wild Rose singer for 10 years.
“I still get goose bumps when so many folks, whatever their skill level, come together to raise their voices in song,” she added.
A cappella chorale
Leslie Lewis will direct the nine-voice a cappella Wild Rose Chorale as well as the Port Townsend Youth Chorus.
And two of Lewis’ longtime choir students, Alanna Dailey and Isabelle Crecca, now Port Townsend High School seniors, will sing with Wild Rose in these holiday concerts.
Listeners will hear twists on old favorites such as “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Ding Dong Merrily On High” and a jazzy medley of carols from “Deck the Halls” to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to “The First Noel.”
Schumacher, for her part, added that her favorite this season is a challenging and unusual rendition of “Silent Night.”
Also this weekend, Rebecca Rottsolk will direct a group of singers from the larger community on two big finale numbers.
“Local singers know what a great opportunity it is to sing with world-renowned Rebecca Rottsolk, who so joyfully leads us,” said Schumacher.
‘African Noel’
For her community singers, Rottsolk has selected the rhythmic “African Noel” and a piece called “Through the Eyes of a Child.”
Judy Schussler will lead the handbell choir. As for the uku-lelists, they will provide sing-along accompaniment on familiar seasonal tunes at both concerts.
To learn more about the vocal ensembles and these performances, phone 360-385-1402 or email wildrosechorale@gmail.com.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
